Department for Transport

A1: Darlington

Peter Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of a new link road between the A66 and Junction 59 of the A1 for connectivity in Darlington.

Peter Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of a new link road between the A66 and junction 59 of the A1.

Katherine Fletcher: National Highways and Tees Valley Combined Authority have worked closely on developing proposals for a Darlington Northern Link Road, connecting the A66 and Junction 59 of the A1. The work to date will form part of the canon of evidence informing the Investment Plan for the third Road Investment Strategy or future road periods beyond 2025.

Weardale Line

Peter Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent progress she has made on re-establishing a passenger service along the Weardale line in County Durham.

Kevin Foster: The £500m Restoring Your Railway Fund is supporting over 45 promising schemes with the potential to level up areas and reconnect communities. The Department has now received the scheme’s Strategic Outline Business Case and will review it in the coming months.

Railway Stations: Darlington

Peter Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what sources of funding her Department provides for accessibility and cosmetic improvements for historic North Road Station prior to the bicentenary of the passenger railway in 2025.

Kevin Foster: The Department provides funding through the Service Contract operated by Northern Trains Limited, which acts as the Station Facilities Owner for the North Road (Darlington) station.

Railways: Tickets

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent notifications she has received that (a) Chiltern Railways, (b) Cross Country Trains, (c) Greater Anglia, (d) LNER, (e) East Midlands Railway, (f) c2c, (g) Great Western Railway, (h) GTR, (i) Northern Trains, (j) South Eastern, (k) South Western Railway, (l) TransPennine Express, (m) Avanti West Coast and (n) West Midlands Trains plan to submit applications to close ticket offices regulated by Schedule 17 of the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement.

Kevin Foster: We want to move staff from behind the ticket office screens to more visible and accessible roles around stations which better support customers and train operating companies have set out early proposals for station retail reform. Any decisions which are taken will be made in accordance with the TSA and the relevant guidance.

Railways: Tickets

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her permission is required for train operating companies to commence consultations over closures of ticket offices regulated by Schedule 17 of the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement.

Kevin Foster: There is a process already set out in the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement which train operating companies must follow to commence proposed closures of ticket offices, which includes public and industry engagement.

Railways

Olivia Blake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions her Department has had with representatives of (a) the Rail Delivery Group, (b) the Office of Rail and Road and (c) Train Operating Companies on wider roll-out of (i) Driver Only Operation and (ii) Driver Controlled Operation.

Kevin Foster: The Department has ongoing discussions with these organisations on a range of matters, including Driver Only Operation and Driver Controlled Operation. Trains have operated safely in the UK for many years as driver only, or driver controlled. The Office of Rail and Road as the independent safety regulator has scrutinised this approach.

Railways: Industrial Disputes

Olivia Blake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on which recent dates (a) she and (b) officials in her Department have met with representatives of the Rail Delivery Group to discuss industrial relations.

Kevin Foster: Officials meet generally at least weekly with senior representatives from industry including from Rail Delivery Group (RDG) to discuss industrial relations. The Secretary of State has also met representatives of RDG since taking up office.

Railways: Contracts

Navendu Mishra: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will publish a list of dividend payments approved by her Department for each (a) year and (b) franchise under (i) EMAs, (ii) ERMAs and (iii) National Rail Contracts since April 2020.

Navendu Mishra: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will publish a list of all applications pending approval for dividend payments under (a) EMAs, (b) ERMA and (c) National Rail Contracts.

Kevin Foster: The Department contracts with train operating companies (TOCs) to provide passenger rail services. Under the contract with the Department, TOCs’ allowable costs are reimbursed by the Department and revenue is passed on to the Department. TOCs earn a management and performance-based fee. The actual performance fee earned depends on evaluation by the Department of performance against specified criteria. The Department publishes details of payments to passenger rail operators, including fees paid on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dft-payments-to-passenger-rail-operators-under-emergency-agreements After the fee has been paid, rail operators must apply to the Department for permission to pay dividends to their parent companies, and must meet stringent reporting and financial requirements to the satisfaction of the Department before any dividends may be paid. The provisions on payment of dividends varies between contracts, but under Emergency Recovery Measures Agreements and National Rail Contracts, TOCs may apply annually to the Department for permission to distribute the value of any fees they have earnt (adjusted for tax) and the value of retained earnings pre-Emergency Measures Agreements period to their owning groups as dividends. The Department does not publish a list of approved dividend payments or applications under consideration. Dividend applications are a matter for the TOCs and the owning groups, and further information would be available in the respective entities’ statutory accounts.

Railways: Tickets

Olivia Blake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, (a) what recent discussions and (b) on what dates (i) she and (ii) officials in her Department have had with representatives of (A) the Rail Delivery Group, (B) the Office of Rail and Road, (C) London TravelWatch and (D) Transport Focus on the potential closing or repurposing of ticket offices.

Kevin Foster: The Ticketing and Settlement Agreement (TSA) sets out the process which train operating companies must follow to commence proposals for changes to the opening hours of ticket offices, including public and industry engagement.

Railways: Tickets

Olivia Blake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether any current National Rail contracts contain a requirement for train operating companies to close or repurpose ticket offices.

Olivia Blake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether any future National Rail contracts will contain a requirement for operators to close or repurpose ticket offices.

Kevin Foster: There are no requirements in any of the Department’s National Rail Contracts for train operating companies to close or repurpose ticket offices.

Motor Vehicles: Noise

Zarah Sultana: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the evidence on the effectiveness of noise camera technology in reducing disruptive noise pollution; and what preventative measures the Government is taking to tackle that problem.

Katherine Fletcher: The Department has recently commenced research to understand if the latest ‘noise camera’ technology can be an effective enforcement tool for the police that will enable more targeted, efficient and effective enforcement. The research will be published in due course.

Hydrogen: Storage and Transport

Andrew Lewer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Lloyd’s Register Decarbonisation Hub’s Zero Carbon Fuel Monitor, if she will fund experimental research into the impact of liquid hydrogen in the context of the safety of its storage and transportation.

Lucy Frazer: The Department for Transport is funding research and development into a range of technologies, fuels and projects to decarbonise maritime, including hydrogen.The first two rounds of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition have allocated funding to 86 projects to support the design and development of clean maritime solutions. 31 of those projects are exploring the use of hydrogen in maritime, including its safe storage and transportation. Hydrogen-related projects are also in scope of the £60m third round of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition, which launched on 29 September and is open for applications until 9 November 2022.

Aviation: Fares

Zarah Sultana: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department has taken to help ensure that consumers have received refunds for cancelled flight bookings in summer 2022.

Katherine Fletcher: We have a framework of laws that set out the protections available for air passengers, including the rules on when they are entitled to refunds and compensation.The CAA, as the UK’s aviation regulator, is responsible for enforcing consumer protections in aviation, and will take enforcement action where it sees systemic breaches of those laws.The Department took action, as part of our 22-point plan to tackle summer disruption, to remind the aviation sector over the summer of their responsibility to support passengers, to ensure passengers are promptly informed of their rights if things go wrong and are compensated in good time.Additionally, we published the Aviation Passenger Charter in July to provide consumers with the information they need on their rights and responsibilities for each stage of their journey, from booking to if things go wrong. This included information on when they may be entitled to refunds and compensation, how to claim, and where they can get further assistance.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform independent report, dated 16 June 2021, which of the proposals contained in that report are Government policy as of September 2022.

Dean Russell: The Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform’s (TIGRR) report shows how, with ambition and vision, the UK can deliver on the opportunities of Brexit. The Benefits of Brexit paper outlines how the government is driving forward our commitments in response to TIGRR, including forging ahead to reform our data laws, setting out a 10 year plan to make Britain a global AI superpower, building on the successes of the Vaccine Taskforce to ensure we have the world’s most innovative life sciences sector, as well as reforms to the financial services and agriculture sectors. These reforms will create a new pro-growth, high standards regulatory framework that gives businesses the confidence to innovate, invest and create jobs.The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill, introduced to Parliament on 22nd September, will help to accelerate delivery of the recommendations from TIGRR.

Fraud: Construction

Owen Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the Government will introduce legislative proposals to protect people who have been scammed by rogue builders.

Jackie Doyle-Price: The Government is committed to strengthening consumer rights including improving consumers’ access to redress in the domestic construction sector. The Government requires tradespeople working on our domestic household decarbonisation retrofit programmes to be TrustMark registered, and for projects to meet the PAS 2035 standard for retrofit. The Department is also working closely with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to strengthen the consumer protections available through Competent Person Schemes

Energy: Timber

Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what is his policy on the sustainability of burning imported wood pellets for energy in the UK.

Graham Stuart: The UK Government supports the use of sustainable biomass but generators must only receive subsidies for biomass that complies with strict sustainability criteria. Generators must demonstrate to the regulator that they meet the criteria, and that evidence must be independently audited.

Energy: Prices

Mr Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans his Department has to publish detailed information on how support for off gas-grid homes is equivalent to those on the gas grid benefiting from the Energy Price Guarantee.

Graham Stuart: The support provided to off-grid households is intended to deliver comparable outcomes to those on gas supported by the Energy Price Guarantee.

Energy: Prices

Mr Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the support provided to off gas-grid households intended to be equivalent to that provided through the Energy Price Guarantee will equal the price per kWh between natural gas and heating oil or LPG.

Graham Stuart: The support provided to off-grid households is intended to ensure comparable outcomes to those on gas. It does not seek to create uniform costs per kWh across differing fuel sources which have always had variable price rates.

District Heating: Price Caps

Munira Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he will publish specific energy bill support for households connected to communal heat networks; and whether that support will be equivalent to the two-year cap for other UK households.

Graham Stuart: The Government wants heat network consumers to receive equivalent support to mains gas and electricity consumers. That is why on 21 September the Energy Bill Relief Scheme was announced, which will see energy prices for non-domestic energy customers such as businesses, charities and public sector organisations cut – protecting them from rising energy costs. These discounted prices for wholesale gas and electricity will ensure lower prices for customers on communal heat networks and the Government intends to publish a review of the scheme in 3 months' time to inform decisions on future support.

Hospitality Industry

Sarah Olney: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent discussions his Department has had with representatives of the hospitality industry on (a) rising energy bills, (b) labour shortages and (c) rising food and drink prices.

Jackie Doyle-Price: This Department launched the Hospitality Sector Council to oversee the delivery of the Hospitality Strategy in July 2021 to support the sector across a range of policy areas, grouped into three themes: Reopening, Recovery, and Resilience. The Council last met on 18 July and is scheduled to meet on 24 October. Between meetings, council members provide regular insights and data on the energy challenges faced by businesses, informing the development of Government support including the Energy Bill Relief Scheme. The Government engages regularly with hospitality businesses and organisations to understand the pressing issues and challenges that they face, including cost pressures, supply chain disruptions and the impact of rising energy prices on businesses of all sizes.

Hospitality Industry

Sarah Olney: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an estimate of the number of (a) pubs, (b) restaurants and (c) takeaways in operation in each of the last 10 years.

Jackie Doyle-Price: Official data[1] show that, between 2013 and 2022, there were an average of 31,200 pubs and bars, 48,500 restaurants and 35,900 takeaways and mobile food stands operating each year across the UK. In 2022, there were approximately 30,300 pubs and bars, 58,100 restaurants, and 43,700 takeaways and mobile food stands. Full business counts data are provided in Annex A.  Annex A: Business counts, UK, 2013 - 2022YearSIC Code 56101: Licensed restaurantsSIC Code 56102: Unlicensed restaurants and cafesTotal restaurants (SIC Codes 56101 + 56102)SIC Code 56103: Take away food shops and mobile food standsSIC Code 56302: Public houses and bars201324,14012,78536,92527,96532,725201425,16014,41539,57528,92532,375201526,86018,71545,57534,59532,160201627,21019,88547,09535,19031,345201727,62521,06048,68535,76530,710201828,18022,02550,20536,67030,545201928,70522,97051,67537,46530,885202029,13023,67052,80038,17030,720202129,68024,81054,49040,57029,865202231,42026,65558,07543,70530,3252013 - 2022 average27,81120,69948,51035,90231,166 [1] ONS business counts data, 2013-2022.

Housing: Insulation

Dan Carden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department is working with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to support the retrofitting of homes with insulation to help reduce energy bills.

Graham Stuart: Colleagues in BEIS and DLUHC are working closely to deliver the commitments set out in the Heat and Buildings Strategy to improve energy efficiency of homes, reduce demand and lower energy bills. The carbon budget targets referenced within the Heat and Buildings Strategy and Net Zero Strategy are shared between BEIS and DLUHC.

Energy Bills Rebate: Park Homes

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how the £400 provided by the Energy Bill Support Scheme announced on 21 September 2022 will be delivered to people who live in Park Homes.

Graham Stuart: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave to the Hon. Member for St Albans on 22 September 2022 to Question 48498.

Attorney General

Attorney General: Training

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney General, pursuant to the Answer of 22 September 2022 to Question 47417 on Civil Servants: Training, whether the mandatory training includes instructing staff on their obligations under the Equality Act 2010.

Michael Tomlinson: Whilst there is no specific mandatory training at the Attorney General’s Office relating to the Equality Act 2010, there are a wide variety of training materials and guidance for AGO staff relating to their obligations under the 2010 Act.

Department of Health and Social Care

Neurodiversity: Children

Peter Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to reduce waiting times for children awaiting assessment of neurodiverse conditions.

Dr Caroline Johnson: We expect integrated care boards to have due regard to relevant best practice guidelines when commissioning services, including assessments for children with neurodevelopmental conditions. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines recommend a maximum waiting time of 13 weeks between a referral for an autism assessment and a first appointment. NICE’s guidelines for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) do not recommend a maximum waiting time to receive an assessment, including for children. It includes information aimed at improving diagnosis and the quality of care and support received. NHS England is testing and implementing effective ways to reduce autism diagnostic assessment waiting times for children and young people. In 2021/22, we provided an additional £10.5 million for local systems to test innovations in autism diagnostic assessment pathways and reduce waiting times, with a further £2.5 million in 2022/23. NHS England is developing a national framework on how children, young people and adults may receive a diagnostic assessment and improve access to and quality of diagnostic processes and reduce waiting times. In addition, we have invested £600,000 to expand a pilot to improve early identification of autism and other neurodiverse conditions to at least 100 schools.

General Practitioners: Staff

Peter Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to ensure GP practices have the resources they need to recruit and retain the staff required to offer appointments to all patients within two weeks.

Will Quince: We are working with NHS England and Health Education England to increase the general practice workforce in England. This includes measures to increase recruitment, address the reasons why doctors leave the profession and encourage them to return to practice. The updated GP Contract Framework in 2020 announced new retention schemes with continued support for existing schemes for the general practice workforce. In addition, we have increased the number of general practitioner training places to 4,000 per year. We made £520 million available to improve access and expand general practice capacity during the pandemic. This was in addition to at least £1.5 billion announced in 2020 to create an additional 50 million general practice appointments by 2024 by increasing and diversifying the workforce.

NHS: Dental Services

Peter Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of allowing dental therapists to carry out routine dental care on increasing the overall level of NHS dental capacity.

Will Quince: The improvements to the National Health Service dental system announced in July 2022 and ‘Our plan for patients’ published in September aim to increase access, target care for patients with higher oral health needs and ensure NHS dentists are fairly rewarded, making NHS dentistry a more attractive place to work.NHS England is supporting contract holders to make better use of all staff in dental teams, including therapists, to deliver treatment. This will allow a broader range of dental professionals to contribute to NHS contracts and support professions, such as therapists, to utilise the full scope of practice in the NHS, as in private practice. Contractors will have a greater range of staffing options to meet NHS contracts, while improving the morale of the therapist workforce through development and use of specialist knowledge.

NHS: Dental Services

Peter Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if her Department will take steps to help ensure that dental practices regularly update the NHS website with their availability to take new NHS patients.

Will Quince: In July 2022, we announced measures to improve the National Health Service dental system, which are currently being implemented. This included a requirement for dentists to update practice information on NHS.UK displaying whether new patients are accepted for treatment.

Dental Services: Darlington

Peter Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to increase NHS dental treatment capacity in Darlington constituency.

Will Quince: The Department and NHS England have negotiated with the British Dental Association on a range of improvements to the National Health Service dental system in England, including Darlington, which were announced on 19 July 2022 and align with ‘Our plan for patients’.These improvements are supported by the sector and will improve access and targeting of care for patients with higher oral health needs. It will also ensure that dentists are fairly rewarded for the care delivered, making NHS dentistry a more attractive place to work for dentists and their teams.

Congenital Abnormalities: Research

Holly Mumby-Croft: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what funding her Department has made available for research into treatments for Venous Vascular Malformation.

Robert Jenrick: While the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has not funded specific research projects for venous vascular malformation in the last five years, it has provided support to studies through its infrastructure. The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including research into treatments for venous vascular malformation. However, it is not usual practice to ring-fence funds for particular topics or conditions. Applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality.

Coronavirus: Vaccination

Miriam Cates: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 12 August 2022 to Question 40021 on Coronavirus: Vaccination for children, if she will take steps to remove Pfizer covid-19 vaccination is removed from the NHS.UK schedule.

Dr Caroline Johnson: The NHS.UK vaccination schedule sets out which vaccinations individuals are eligible to receive through the National Health Service, including COVID-19. However, the schedule does not specify which specific COVID-19 vaccine will be used. The Government continues to be guided by the expert independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation on the deployment of COVID-19 vaccines.

Hormone Replacement Therapy: Prescriptions

Scott Benton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment her Department has made of the potential benefits of allowing prescriptions to be amended when there is a shortage of a hormone replacement therapy medication.

Dr Caroline Johnson: The Department has issued Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) which allow pharmacists to substitute a specified alternative hormone replacement therapy (HRT) product if the prescribed product is not available. There are currently 14 SSPs in place for five HRT medicines, to manage and mitigate medicine supply issues. Enabling the supply of an alternative product in accordance with an SSP is a safe, effective way to ensure HRT continues to be available.

NHS: Voluntary Work

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the policy paper entitled Plan for patients, published September 2022, if she will (a) make a renewed call for NHS volunteers, or (b) plans to work through local charities and NHS providers.

Will Quince: There is a current need for additional National Health Service volunteers to support the COVID-19 booster vaccine programme through the NHS Volunteer Responders programme and for volunteer vaccinators through a partnership with St John Ambulance. This is being managed on a regional basis. During the winter, there may be further calls for volunteer support which would be met with relevant NHS providers or voluntary organisations locally or nationally.

General Practitioners

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will take steps to provide GP services with increased resources to help them meet the two week appointment guarantee.

Will Quince: In 2020 the Government committed at least £1.5 billion for general practice until 2023/24 to deliver an additional 50 million general practice appointments by increasing and diversifying the workforce. This is in addition to the annual increase of £4.5 billion for primary and community care announced in the NHS Long Term Plan.In addition to ‘Our plan for patients’ set out measures to address access to general practice, allowing patients can make informed choices on where and when they receive care. The plan allows general practices to recruit new roles to reduce the administrative burden on general practitioners, increase available clinical time and assist practices to run more efficiently.

Ambulance Services: Darlington

Peter Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to reduce ambulance waiting times in Darlington constituency.

Robert Jenrick: NHS England advises that the North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is investing of £38 million in 2022/23 to improve clinical care, recover ambulance response times, increase the operational and Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) workforce and establish an additional EOC in the south of the Trust’s area. Ambulance trusts receive continuous central monitoring and support from the National Ambulance Coordination Centre and NHS England has allocated an additional £150 million for ambulance service pressures in 2022/23, supporting improvements to response times through additional call handler recruitment, retention and other funding requirements.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will make an assessment of the factors that restrict the patient capacity of Emergency Departments.

Robert Jenrick: NHS England advise that patient capacity within emergency departments is multi-factorial and the reasons for restriction differ in each local health system. These factors can include long term growth in type 1 emergency department attendances over time and an increase in patients’ length of stay in hospital once admitted, restricting patient flow out of emergency departments. Nationally there has been an increase in patients who are spending longer than 21 days in hospital, which is currently 30% higher than in September 2019. Each integrated care system is addressing these issues with the most challenged systems receiving support through the Discharge Taskforce programme. Initiatives such as same day emergency care and frailty assessment units have contributed to redirection away from emergency departments and reduced admissions to hospitals. Capital funding is also in place to improve emergency departments where additional physical space is required to meet current demand.

Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when her Department plans to make a decision on the Warrington and Halton bid for the New Hospital Programme.

Robert Jenrick: Expressions of interest received for eight new hospitals are currently being reviewed, including Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We aim to announce the final decision later in the year.

Paramedical Staff: Recruitment and Training

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans she has to (a) recruit, and (b) provide training for more paramedics.

Robert Jenrick: National Health Service employers are responsible for planning local staffing levels according to service priorities. Since September 2020, all eligible students studying paramedicine as their first degree can apply for a non-repayable training grant of a minimum of £5,000 per academic year, with further financial support available for childcare, accommodation and travel costs.  This is in addition to maintenance and tuition fee loans provided by the Student Loans Company. The number of qualified paramedic staff in the NHS has increased from 12,902 in May 2016 to 16,919 in May 2022. Health Education England has a target to train 3,000 paramedic graduates nationally per annum from 2021 to 2024.

Ambulance Services: Standards

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the policy paper entitled Plan for patients, published September 2022, what additional provision she will make to help ensure that (a)  high standards and (b) adequate capacity are present in an auxillary ambulance service.

Robert Jenrick: Appropriately trained volunteers are widely used in ambulance trusts and we will ensure that any new services designed to support National Health Service ambulance services meet all appropriate standards.

NHS: Standards

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to her Department's policy paper our plan for patients, published on 22 September 2022, what steps they are taking to measure progress on that paper's targets for ambulances, backlogs, care, doctors and dentists; and when she plans to deliver those targets.

Robert Jenrick: ‘Our plan for patients’ commits to increase the number of 999 and NHS 111 call handlers by December 2022 and launch a £500 million Adult Social Care Discharge Fund. This aligns with previous commitments, such as the ‘Delivery plan for tackling the COVID-19 backlog of elective care’. This will be monitored through the relevant national statistics and performance data.

Nimbuscare

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, in York where Nimbus Care provide additional capacity and coordination, what additional support will Nimbus Care receive to deliver city-wide enhanced services to the community in York.

Will Quince: NHS England North East and Yorkshire has advised that the York Health and Care Partnership (formerly the NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group) works closely with Nimbuscare Ltd. and its member practices within the NHS England commissioning and primary care contracting framework to agree and support the delivery of services that they are contracted to provide. These services include the Seasonal Influenza Enhanced Service and the COVID-19 vaccination programme, for which requirements on providers and commissioners are set out in the national service specifications. The York Health and Care Partnership and Nimbuscare Ltd. recently worked together on the creation of the Acomb Garth Community Hub to expand capacity for local primary care providers.

First Aid: Training

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the policy paper entitled Plan for patients, published September 2022, if she will give everyone the opportunity of learning basic first aid.

Will Quince: NHS England is working with St John Ambulance to create a national network of community advocates to champion the importance of first aid, training 60,000 people which will help save up to 4,000 lives each year by 2028. There are currently a wide range of independent providers who offer first aid training. NHS.UK also provides information on basic first aid, such as the treatment of the most common accidents and emergencies such as a heavy bleed, a burn or an anaphylaxis shock.

Mental Health Services: Schools

Munira Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what criteria she used to determine which schools within each integrated care system area are prioritised to be allocated a mental health support team.

Dr Caroline Johnson: Integrated care systems (ICSs) are expected to work in collaboration with health and local system partners to determine where mental health support teams (MHSTs) are located. ICSs will consider reducing health inequalities and promoting equality of access to services and specifically how mental health support teams will reach those children and young people with high level of need and most at risk of poor outcomes; how a MHST will add to the emotional and mental health support already in place within a setting; and whether a local health provider is ready to recruit and employ staff.

Congenital Abnormalities

Holly Mumby-Croft: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to improve awareness among NHS staff of the (a) symptoms and (b) treatment of Venous Vascular Malformations in babies and children.

Holly Mumby-Croft: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to improve awareness among parents of the (a) symptoms and (b) treatment of Venous Vascular Malformations in new born babies.

Dr Caroline Johnson: Parents will have contact with a number of health care professionals including midwives, general practitioners (GPs) and health visitors, who are trained in child development and early identification of abnormalities, such as venous malformations and can advise parents where there are concerns or refer to specialist services. The newborn infant physical examination should be performed within 72 hours of birth by a qualified practitioner. A second examination is performed at six to eight weeks of age, usually by a GP, to identify abnormalities that develop or subsequently become apparent.

Organs: Donors

Simon Jupp: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to ensure organ donors are aware that they must inform NHS Blood and Transplant of which organs they wish to donate.

Will Quince: In May 2020, the law around organ donation in England changed to an ‘opt out’ system. NHS Blood and Transplant undertakes regular campaigns to encourage the public to make their organ donation decision known to their family and inform the NHS Organ Donor Register. The Register allows individuals to record which organs they would wish to donate.Since September 2021, organ donation and transplantation has been taught through the secondary school curriculum in England, aimed at promoting awareness in young people. In addition, the Department recently supported Organ Donation Week.

Question

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she had made of the potential merits of providing additional funding for the modernisation of Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow; and if she will make a statement.

Robert Jenrick: We are allocating £12 billion of operational capital to the National Health Service in England for 2022/23 to 2024/25, of which £219 million has been allocated to North West London Integrated Care Board (ICB) for 2022/23. Following the national planning guidance, the ICB will determine how this funding is spent locally. London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust has also received targeted national funding for improvement and elective recovery.

Mental Health Services: Children and Young People

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will ensure that CAMHS services are part of her Plan for Patients.

Dr Caroline Johnson: ‘Our plan for patients’ will complement the existing NHS Long Term Plan. We will continue to expand access to mental health services, including for children and young people. The NHS Long Term Plan commits to investing at least an additional £2.3 billion a year into mental health services by 2023/24, allowing at least 345,000 more children and young people access to National Health Service-funded mental health support.

Strokes: Health Services

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if her Plan for Patients will ensure people who have a stroke receive care within the golden hour of treatment for that condition.

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will commit to increasing the availability of mechanical thrombectomy for patients on the NHS.

Will Quince: The National Stroke Service Model, published by NHS England in May 2021, articulates optimal evidence-based stroke care. Patients are expected to be seen by a stroke specialist clinician within 60 minutes of arrival and have a treatment plan determined. The National Health Service monitors and improve acute stroke care within the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme. This data is regularly reviewed and informs the programmes priorities and supports quality improvement. In addition, NHS England are supporting pilots to test a new video-triage virtual consultation project between paramedics and stroke teams to ensure patients are assessed and conveyed to the most appropriate centres.NHS England has committed to increase the delivery of mechanical thrombectomy to 10%, to ensure that a further 1,600 people each year maintain their independence after a stroke. The latest data show that 2.8% of patients are currently receiving a thrombectomy following a stroke. Thrombectomy is available in 24 centres in England, with two non-neuroscience centres under development.

Question

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Strategic Outline Case for a new Queen Elizabeth Hospital, published on 7 June 2022, if she will provide the funding to rebuild the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kings Lynn as recommended in the Strategic Outline Case submitted to her Department; and if she will make a statement.

Robert Jenrick: The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHS Foundation Trust has submitted an expression of interest for Queen Elizabeth Hospital to be considered in the next cohort of eight new hospitals. We are currently reviewing these expressions of interest and aim to announce the final decision later in the year. A Strategic Outline Case has not yet been submitted to the Department.

Health Services and Social Services: Staff

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether her Plan for Patients will deliver a workforce plan for the NHS and Social Care.

Robert Jenrick: The Department commissioned NHS England to develop a long-term plan for workforce groups and professions in the National Health Service for the next 15 years. The conclusions of this work will be available in due course.

Neurodiversity: Diagnosis and Health Services

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will ensure that her Plan for Patients looks at delivery pathways for diagnosis and support for people who have a neurodiversity.

Dr Caroline Johnson: ‘Our plan for patients’ committed to expand mental health services, including those for neurodiverse people. In 2021/22, we provided an additional £10.5 million for local systems to test innovations in autism diagnostic assessment pathways and to reduce waiting times for children, young people and adults.  In 2022/23, we will invest £2.5 million in testing and implementing the most effective pathways.  In addition, NHS England is developing a national framework on how children, young people and adults may receive a diagnostic assessment to improve access to and the quality of these diagnostic processes and reduce waiting times. NHS England is working with local authorities’ children’s social care, education services and expert charities to support neurodivergent children, including children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, through the assessment and diagnostic process.

Public Health: Grants

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether her Plan for Patients will ensure that the public health grant increases in line with inflation.

Dr Caroline Johnson: Following the Spending Review in 2021, the value of the local authority Public Health Grant increased by 2.81% to £3.417 billion in 2022/23 and is planned to reach £3.553 billion by 2024/25. We will announce 2023/24 public health grant allocations to local authorities in due course.

Dentistry: Training

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if her Plan for Patients will include plans for (a) Centres for Dental Development and (b) the commissioning of new dental schools.

Will Quince: ‘Our plan for patients’ aligns with the NHS Long Term Plan and the forthcoming workforce plan and includes the current work on improving the National Health Service dental system. Centres for Dental Development and dental schools are included in Health Education England’s ‘Advancing Dental Care’ report. ‘Our plan for patients’ does not include decisions regarding Centres for Dental Development or the commissioning of new dental schools nationally. Discussions regarding Centres for Dental Development are encouraged locally with integrated care boards.

Chronic Illnesses

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether her Plan for Patients will take steps to empower patients with chronic conditions to self manage their conditions.

Neil O'Brien: ‘Our plan for patients’ will align with the NHS Long Term Plan, which set out the importance of supported self-management, where appropriate. This aims to empower individuals to live well with their conditions and includes the promotion of health and wellbeing coaches, social prescribing, peer support and the Personalised Care Institute’s training modules, which will equip health and care staff to have tailored conversations to give people more choice and control over their mental and physical health.

Social Services: Staff

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of using the Agenda for Change as a basis for the pay and progression of social care staff.

Neil O'Brien: No specific assessment has been made.

Maternity Services

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps in her Plan for Patients will focus on improving maternity services.

Dr Caroline Johnson: Existing commitments to improve maternity services remain in place, including the ambition is to reduce pre-term births and halve the 2010 rate of stillbirths, maternal and neonatal deaths and brain injuries occurring during or soon after birth by 2025. The maternity safety strategy introduced and funded initiatives such as the Saving Babies Lives Care Bundle, Maternal Medicine Networks and Maternal Mental Health Hubs. The Maternity Transformation Programme is also implementing safer and more personalised care across England.We have invested £127 million in the National Health Service maternity workforce and neonatal care to ensure safe staffing levels and that patients receive personalised midwifery care. This is in addition to £95 million for a further 1,200 midwifery and 100 consultant obstetrician posts. The Department is working with the NHS to establish an independent working group to help guide the implementation of the recommendations from the Ockenden report and the forthcoming East Kent report following publication. The first working group meeting took place on 31 August 2022 and will inform the new NHS Maternity Development Plan.

Cancer: Children

Marion Fellows: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to help improve survival outcomes for children with sarcoma.

Will Quince: Operational Delivery Networks (ODNs) are responsible for improving integration between children’s cancer services and improving the experience of care. The National Health Service is increasing participation in clinical trials, which is currently approximately two thirds of patients and tumour banking rates. It is improving the transition between children’s and teenager and young adult services, in particular ensuring that there is no age gap between different services and embedding genomic medicine within children’s cancer services.In addition, sarcoma has been highlighted within the new specification as requiring a particular focus, relating to the development of clear access and referral arrangements and the agreement of treatment protocols in each ODN.

Cancer: Children

Marion Fellows: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps her Department is taking to increase public awareness of (a) sarcoma and (b) other childhood cancers.

Will Quince: On 1 March 2022, a phase of the ‘Help us help you’ campaign was launched to address some of the barriers which prevent people seeking advice on the potential symptoms of all cancers. NHS England is developing plans for future phases of the campaign to raise awareness of cancer symptoms during 2022/23.

Cancer: Children

Marion Fellows: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plan her Department has to improve the level of awareness among primary care professionals of (a) sarcoma and (b) other childhood cancers.

Will Quince: General practitioners (GPs) are responsible for maintaining their clinical knowledge and identifying learning needs through continuing professional development. This should include take account of new research and developments, such as guidance produced by the National Institute for Health and Care.All United Kingdom registered doctors are expected to meet the professional standards set out in the General Medical Council’s (GMC) Good Medical Practice. In 2012 the GMC introduced revalidation which supports doctors in regularly reflecting on how they can develop or improve their practice and promotes improved quality of care through improvements in clinical governance.The training curricula for postgraduate trainee doctors is determined by the relevant medical Royal College and must meet the standards set by the General Medical Council. Whilst curricula do not necessarily highlight specific conditions, it emphasises the skills and approaches a doctor must develop in order to ensure accurate and timely diagnoses and treatment plans for their patients.

Care Homes: Profits

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she made of the equity of the profits generated by (a) care providers in the private sector and (b) care providers out of contracts with local authorities.

Neil O'Brien: No specific assessment has been made.

Social Services: Energy

Karin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions she has had with Adult Social Care providers on the impact of rising energy prices on care sector stability.

Neil O'Brien: Officials regularly engage with adult social care providers and representative bodies to discuss the impact of rising energy prices and the Government’s new Energy Bill Relief Scheme. These discussions will continue before the forthcoming three-month review of the Scheme.

Allergies: Children

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to help ensure that families with children who suffer from severe allergies to certain medicines can access affordable alternatives; and if she will make a statement.

Robert Jenrick: Prescriptions dispensed to children under 16 years old are free of charge. The prescription of any medicine is a clinical decision, informed by the medicine’s summary of product characteristics, made with individual patients. Prescribing clinicians should always satisfy themselves that the medicines they consider appropriate for patients can be safely prescribed. This prescribing decision should be discussed and agreed with the patient, their families and/or carers.

General Practitioners: Standards

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to her policy that those who need an appointment with their GP practice should be seen within 2 weeks announced in Our plan for patients on 22 September, whether that two week period begins from the point at which a patient requests an appointment.

Will Quince: The government has set an expectation that all patients who need an appointment within two weeks of booking will get one.

Social Services: Protective Clothing

Karin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of no longer mandating the monthly reporting of data on PPE shortages in social care settings.

Neil O'Brien: The reporting of personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages has never been mandated. However, adult social care providers are encouraged to continue to do so through the capacity tracker and via the PPE Portal, enabling any supply issues to be rectified.

Social Services: Coronavirus

Karin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to address regional variations in covid-19-related staff absences in adult social care settings.

Neil O'Brien: The Government continues to assist adult social care settings manage COVID-19 pressures and ensure continuity of care. This includes infection prevent control and testing guidance to minimise transmission of COVID-19 in adult social care, prevent staff absences and protect the most vulnerable. We are also encouraging all frontline health and social care workers to take up the offer of a COVID-19 booster vaccination as soon as possible. Where staff absences do occur, local authorities are responsible for ensuring there is sufficient staff to provide care and to develop and deploy contingency measures where necessary.

Health Services and Social Services: Vacancies

Stephen Kinnock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which countries listed on the World Health Organisation's Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List currently have agreements with the UK to allow the recruitment of individuals from such countries to fill vacancies in the UK health and social care sectors; and which countries on that list the Government is currently seeking to negotiate such an agreement with.

Robert Jenrick: Of those countries listed on the World Health Organization's Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List, the United Kingdom currently has a memorandum of understanding on the recruitment of healthcare workers with Nepal.We are unable to provide information requested on countries we are currently in discussion with as it would be likely to prejudice relations between the UK and other states. When signed, Government-to-Government agreements are published to ensure transparency.

Health Services and Social Services: Vacancies

Stephen Kinnock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information her Department holds on (a) the number of applications for job vacancies in the UK health and social care sector which were made by individuals from countries listed on the World Health Organisation's Health Workforce Support and Safeguards List and (b) the number of such applicants who were subsequently granted visas by the UK government, in the most recent period for which these figures are available.

Robert Jenrick: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Care Workers: Coronavirus

Karin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to ensure that care staff working in other settings are able to receive booster vaccinations against covid-19.

Neil O'Brien: All frontline health and social care workers are eligible for the autumn COVID-19 booster vaccination and flu vaccine. Social care workers are encouraged to take up the offer of the vaccines as soon as possible to help protect themselves and those they care for. The Department wrote to adult social care providers prior to the launch of the autumn booster campaign on the importance of vaccination and supporting staff to receive a vaccination. The UK Health Security Agency also provides further promotional material online. Further targeted communications will be issued to the sector during the campaign.

Social Services: Coronavirus

Karin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has she made of the impact on covid-19 transmission in adult social care settings of suspending asymptomatic testing from 31 August 2022.

Neil O'Brien: By removing routine asymptomatic testing while retaining other measures such as symptomatic testing, outbreak response, vaccines and antiviral drugs, we can continue to protect the most vulnerable and avoid the need for staff to test regularly. We continue to assess all data on COVID-19 transmission on a regular basis and consider any implications for testing policy.

Dementia: Drugs

Zarah Sultana: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment her department has made of the potential merits of convening a dementia medicines taskforce as proposed by the charity Alzheimer’s Research UK in March 2022; and if she will make it her policy to convene such a taskforce.

Neil O'Brien: Officials have met Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK) and discussed the proposal for a Dementia Medicines Taskforce and considered the merits of the proposal to accelerate patient access to medicines with NHS England. On 14 August 2022, the Government launched the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Mission, which meets some of the objectives of ARUK’s proposal.

Breast Cancer: Diagnosis

Zarah Sultana: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps she is taking to improve diagnosis rates for breast cancer.

Will Quince: The NHS Long Term Plan set an ambition for 75% of cancers to be diagnosed at stage one or two by 2028, which has now been achieved for breast cancer. The NHS Breast Screening Programme offers all women in England aged 50 years old to their 71st birthday the opportunity to be screened every three years for breast cancer. The Programme issues invitations to 1.9 million women every year, which detects 20,000 breast cancers and prevents approximately 1,300 deaths.NHS England’s National Cancer Programme is working with clinical experts, patients and charities to produce a best practice timed pathway for breast cancer. These pathways set out the sequence and maximum timeframes in which triage, diagnostic tests and assessments should be delivered, to support delivery of the 28 day Faster Diagnosis Standard.A recent ‘Help us help you’ campaign focused on the barriers to earlier presentation in all cancer types, including breast cancer and aimed to address underlying challenges to earlier diagnosis. This campaign saw a 1600% increase in the numbers of visits to the NHS.UK cancer symptoms information.

Social Services: Fees and Charges

Karin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when she will the publish findings of the evaluation of the implementation of charging reform in Trailblazer authorities.

Neil O'Brien: The Department will evaluate the implementation of charging reform in Trailblazer authorities ahead of the national deployment in October 2023. The findings from the evaluation will be published in due course.

Rare Diseases: Drugs and Health Services

Navendu Mishra: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress she has made on improving access to specialist care, treatment and drugs for rare diseases as outlined in the Rare Disease Action Plan 2022.

Will Quince: Progress on delivery of the Action Plan will be reported in the second England Rare Diseases Action Plan at the beginning of 2023. In June 2022, NHS England and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) launched the Innovative Medicines Fund which will allows early access to the most promising medicines where there is sufficient uncertainty for NICE to recommend routine funding. This will support the rapid introduction of effective new medicines for the benefit of National Health Service patients, including those with rare diseases.

Coronavirus: Preventive Medicine

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether a process has been established to evaluate future prophylactic treatments for covid-19.

Robert Jenrick: The PROTECT-V clinical trial tests several treatments intended to reduce the risk of confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 infections in vulnerable renal and immunosuppressed patients and the associated risk of hospitalisation and death. The study focuses on prophylactic drugs administered over a six-month period to test the effectiveness at reducing the spread of the virus among those who may be exposed at regular hospital check-ups or dialysis appointments.

Evusheld: Procurement

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the decision-making process was ahead of the decision not to procure Evusheld including what (a) discussions took place and (b) evidence was used to inform the decision; and for what reason the Government decided not to procure Evusheld.

Robert Jenrick: The Government has decided not to procure Evusheld for prevention through emergency routes at this time. This is a decision based on independent clinical advice by the multi-agency RAPID C-19 and a national expert policy working group. These groups considered a range of evidence, including clinical trial data, in vitro analysis and emerging observational studies and concluded there is currently insufficient evidence of benefit to recommend deployment. The Chief Medical Officer for England is content that the correct process for providing clinical advice has been followed and this should now be referred to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for further evaluation.The Department wrote to patient groups on 5 September 2022 with information on this decision and evidence considered. The letter summarised the evidence considered by RAPID C-19 that contributed to the decision not to procure and deploy Evusheld and detailed the next steps the Government will take.

Care Homes: Staff

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she is taking steps to increase the number of care home staff in (a) England and (b) Gloucestershire; and if she will make a statement.

Neil O'Brien: Local authorities are responsible for ensuring there is sufficient workforce capacity to meet the care needs of the local population. The Government continues to support local authorities and providers to address workforce pressures. On 22 September, we announced an additional £500 million for social care this winter to facilitate the safe discharge of patients and recruit and retain care workers.

Hospitals: Ambulance Services

Daisy Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to her Health and Social Care Update on 22 September 2022, which are the 15 hospital trusts accounting for 45 per cent of all ambulance handover delays.

Robert Jenrick: The 15 hospital trusts accounting for 45% of all ambulance handover delays of 60 minutes or more during winter 2021/22 are as follows:- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust;- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust;- Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust;- University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust;- University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust;- North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust;- Portsmouth Hospitals University National Health Service Trust;- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust;- Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust;- The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust;- Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust;- United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust;- Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust;- Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust; and- Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust.

Abortion: Drugs

Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made with Cabinet colleagues of the number of cases of domestic abuse and coercion connected with the home use of early medical abortion pills since March 2020.

Dr Caroline Johnson: The Department recognises safeguarding as an essential aspect of abortion care and officials are working with the Domestic Abuse Commissioners Office to understand issues related to domestic abuse and coercion and home-use of early medical abortion (EMA).All abortion providers are required to have effective arrangements in place to safeguard women and girls accessing abortion services who may be experiencing domestic abuse or coercion. Following Parliament’s decision to make provisions for at home early medical abortion to be made permanent from 30 August, the Department is ensuring that robust safeguarding systems and processes for home use of EMA are embedded in all abortion services.

Hospitals: Discharges

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she is taking steps to reduce the incidence of delayed discharge of patients from acute hospitals in (a) England and (b) Gloucestershire; and if she will make a statement.

Robert Jenrick: The Government has announced a £500 million Adult Social Care Discharge Fund to accelerate the safe discharge of patients from hospital. Further details of the fund will be available in due course, including local allocations. In addition, NHS England is implementing the ‘100-day discharge challenge’ to reassert best practice through 10 priority activities in all hospitals.The One Gloucestershire Integrated Care System has placed additional staff in the hospital to home teams and provided additional beds and services in acute and community hospitals. It has been supported by the local authority, which has based social workers in the emergency department and on wards to prevent unnecessary admissions and ensure effective and informed discharge planning. A dedicated team working with people who have a length of stay over 21 days has also been established.

Social Services: Reform

Karin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on the potential financial effect on local government of the Government's proposed charging reforms to Adult Social Care.

Neil O'Brien: There have been no recent discussions.

Health: Equality

Peter Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what her timescale is for publication of the White Paper on Health Disparities in England.

Dr Caroline Johnson: We will provide further information in due course.

Abortion: Drugs

Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many women have required hospital treatment following the home use of early medical abortion pills since March 2020.

Dr Caroline Johnson: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Evusheld

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she plans to expand the availability of Evusheld as a prophylactic through clinical trials.

Robert Jenrick: Following engagement with AstraZeneca, we have encouraged the company to continue discussions with the Antivirals and Therapeutics Taskforce (ATTF) and the Chief Scientific Adviser on options for evaluating the clinical effectiveness of Evusheld. Clinical advisers have recommended a United Kingdom clinical trial to generate sufficient data to understand Evusheld’s effectiveness against current and future variants. The ATTF are currently considering options for such a trial.

Social Workers

Karin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate she has made of the number of social workers needed to implement the Government's proposed changes to assessment in Adult Social Care in England.

Neil O'Brien: Our estimate of the future demand for additional needs assessments as a result of charging reform will be published in the forthcoming Charging Reform Impact Assessment.We are unable to make a robust assessment of the impact this demand will have on social worker numbers, while local authorities are still considering local approaches to capacity management. We are working closely with the Trailblazer authorities and will continue to monitor local authorities’ plans for and experience of implementing reforms.

Care Homes: Staff

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether she is taking steps to increase the number of care home staff specialising in caring for patients with dementia in (a) England and (b) Gloucestershire; and if she will make a statement.

Neil O'Brien: In addition to existing investment in learning and development to support progression for care workers, we are developing a national knowledge and skills framework for the care workforce in England, including Gloucestershire. This will set out the knowledge and skills required for roles within the sector, including those specialising in caring for people with dementia and will supplement existing resources, such as the Dementia Training Standards Framework.

Social Services: ICT

Karin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions her Department has had with representatives of Adult Social Care IT providers on the capability of technology to support increased assessments at (a) local authority and (b)  level.

Karin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the planned reforms to adult social care charging set out on 8 March 2022, what recent discussions she has had with providers in that sector about the adequacy of their IT systems to deliver those reforms.

Robert Jenrick: The Department and NHS England have worked with the IT suppliers providing adult social care case management systems to local authorities in England to design the core functionality required for the implementation of charging reform. The Department regularly engages with suppliers and local authorities to discuss delivery and implementation, including the role of technology in supporting the delivery of assessments.

Department for Education

Schools: Buildings

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the number of schools and colleges in England fitted with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.

Jonathan Gullis: The Department has sent a questionnaire on reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) to all responsible bodies, asking them to complete the information on RAAC for all their schools. The questionnaire asks whether RAAC is present in any buildings on their school estates, and how responsible bodies are managing it. The purpose of the questionnaire is to allow the Department to better understand the prevalence of RAAC across the school estate and ensure the correct support is in place to meet the responsible bodies’ needs. The questionnaire has been sent to responsible bodies of schools and does not include colleges.The questionnaire remains open. At present, the Department only has partial data and is not yet able to provide an estimate of the number of schools fitted with RAAC.Depending upon the survey uptake in the next 6 months, an initial estimate may be issued in April 2023.The Department has also previously issued guidance on identifying and managing RAAC, which it will be updating later this year.

National Tutoring Programme: Publicity

Munira Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what was the cost to the public purse of the outbound call campaign run by his Department in summer 2022 to encourage schools to use the National Tutoring Programme.

Jonathan Gullis: I refer the hon. Member for Twickenham to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the former Minister of State for School Standards on 30 June 2022 to Question 25988.

Teachers: Re-employment

Munira Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what was the cost to the public purse of the Return to Teaching scheme in (a) 2019-20 and (b) 2020-21.

Munira Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many participants of the Return to Teaching scheme returned in each subject area in (a) 2019-20 and (b) 2020-21.

Jonathan Gullis: The return of former teachers is an important component of the Department’s recruitment strategy, and we continue to prioritise initiatives that facilitate their return to the profession. The Department’s main arm of support is the Return to Teaching Advisory (RTTA) service which provides former teachers with access to one-to-one support from a dedicated adviser. The cost of the scheme is as follows:2019/20 - £361,344.692020/21 - £325,562.73The RTTA service historically only supported those looking to return to teach maths, physics, or modern foreign languages. The table below shows the number of teachers who received support from an adviser, and returned to teach in these subjects:Year Subject Maths PhysicsLanguages 2019/20 258292020/21241527 Many teachers supported by the RTTA service return to teach in other subjects which are not included in these figures. Additionally, some may return to teaching without informing their adviser, so the Department is unable to capture this data.The RTTA service fulfils a broader support role in facilitating events for those interested in returning to teach from both the UK and overseas, managing a returners network and supporting other Department for Education initiatives, including the National Tutoring Programme.The Department has recently expanded the remit of the RTTA service and is now offering support to former teachers considering returning to teach any secondary subject.

European University Institute

Sir Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, for what reasons the Government ended the UK's membership of the European University Institute.

Andrea Jenkyns: The Convention setting up a European University Institute (EUI) states that accession to the Convention is restricted to European Union (EU) member states. When the UK ceased to be an EU member state, our formal membership of the Institute ended. The UK has been operating under the terms of an interim arrangement with the EUI since 2020, while discussions took place to explore the possibilities for future UK participation. It has not been possible to conclude a partnership agreement between us at this time.The UK remains committed to strong research collaboration with our European partners, and remains open to exploring other opportunities for collaboration with the EUI in the future. UK universities will be able to continue to work with the EUI and engage in the collaborative research projects it leads.

Students: Finance

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what financial support is available to students across the UK to provide assistance with the cost of living crisis.

Andrea Jenkyns: Education is a devolved matter and so financial support with the cost of living for students in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be the responsibility of the devolved governments.The Energy Price Guarantee announced on 8 September will save the average household at least £1,000 a year based on current energy prices from October and this is in addition to the £400 energy bills discount for all households. Students who buy their energy from a domestic supplier are eligible for the energy bills discount.To support disadvantaged students and those who need additional help in higher education in England, we have confirmed in our guidance to the Office for Students (OfS) on funding for the 2022/23 financial year that universities will continue to be able to support students in hardship through their own hardship funds and the student premium, for which up to £261 million is available for academic year 2022/23.The government has also worked closely with the OfS to clarify that English providers can draw upon this funding now, to provide hardship funds and support disadvantaged students impacted by cost of living pressures.Maximum grants and loans for living costs for England-domiciled students have also increased by 2.3% in the 2022/23 academic year. Students who have been awarded a loan for living costs for the 2022/23 academic year that is lower than the maximum, and whose household income for the tax year 2022/23 has dropped by at least 15% compared to the income provided for their original assessment, can apply for their entitlement to be reassessed.In addition, maximum tuition fees, and the subsidised loans available from the department to pay them, remain at £9,250 for the 2022/23 academic year in respect of standard full-time courses. We are also freezing maximum tuition fees for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 academic years. By 2024/25, maximum fees will have been frozen for seven years. As well as reducing debt levels for students, the continued fee freeze will help to ensure that the English Higher Education system remains sustainable while also promoting greater efficiency at providers.16 to 19-year-old students in England who need help with the costs of participating in education can receive help from the 16-19 Bursary Fund. Over £133 million was allocated to colleges, school sixth forms and other providers to make discretionary bursaries available to young people in the academic year 2021/22 and more will be available in allocations for 2022/23.We are continuing to invest in education and skills training for adults through the Adult Education Budget (AEB), inculding £1.34 billion in 2022/23. The AEB also funds colleges and training providers to help adult learners to overcome barriers which prevent them from taking part in learning. This includes Learner Support, to support learners with a specific financial hardship.

Ministry of Justice

Cyberflashing

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent steps he has taken to support victims of cyberflashing.

Rachel Maclean: The Government is creating a new criminal offence targeting “cyberflashing” in the Online Safety Bill. This offence, which will carry a 2-year maximum prison sentence, will criminalise intentionally sending or giving a photograph or film of any person’s genitals to another person with the intention that that person will see the genitals and be caused alarm, distress or humiliation, or for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification whilst being reckless as to whether the recipient will be caused alarm, distress or humiliation.Alongside this important reform of the criminal law, in May, we published the draft Victims Bill to enable improvements in the quality and consistency of support services for victims.It includes measures to improve support for victims of sexual offences such as making provision for the Secretary of State to issue guidance about Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (and Independent Domestic Violence Advisors). It will also improve how organisations work together to commission support services to better meet the needs of victims.

Crime Prevention: Blackpool

Scott Benton: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what additional funding his Department has provided to Blackpool on schemes to discourage young people from committing crime.

Rob Butler: Blackpool Youth Offending Team received the following sums from the Ministry of Justice in each of the last three years: £435k (anticipated allocation for 2022/23), £396k (2021/22), £365k (2020/21).

Witnesses: Video Recordings

Ellie Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many crown courts have had Section 28 pre-recorded video evidence technology installed; and when the Government plans to have this technology rolled out across all crown courts.

Gareth Johnson: All crown courts have the necessary technology installed to support pre-recorded cross-examination, known as Section 28.

Ministry of Justice: Devolution

Liz Saville Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 18 July to Question 36043 on Ministry of Justice: Devolution, if he will publish the minutes of the formal meetings in which the Justice Devolution Team has been involved since January 2020.

Gareth Johnson: The Secretary of State will not publish minutes of meetings referred to in the response to Question 36043.

Divorce Courts: Standards

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average length of time petitioners had to wait for a court appointment in divorce proceedings was for each month in (a) 2019 and (b) the last twelve months for which data is available.

Gareth Johnson: For undisputed cases within the divorce process, parties are generally not required to attend court appointments.In relation to England and Wales, data on the average time to decree nisi (including the civil partnership equivalent) for each month in (a) 2019 and (b) the last twelve months for which data is available is provided in the attached table.PQ 53351 Annex A (xlsx, 17.7KB)

Theft: Telecommunications Cables

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will review penalties imposed by the courts for people convicted of theft of telecommunications cabling and where that theft caused the loss of a telephone service to multiple households; if he will  make an assessment of the potential merits of treating that type of theft as aggravated with more severe sentencing regime reflecting the (a) value of the metal stolen and (b) the inconvenience and disruption caused to a wider local community; and if he will make a statement.

Rachel Maclean: Sentencing is entirely a matter for our independent courts. When deciding what sentence to impose, the courts take into account the circumstances of the offence, and any aggravating and mitigating factors, in line with any relevant sentencing guidelines – which are issued by the independent Sentencing Council. The sentencing guidelines for theft make clear that the value of the goods stolen will be taken into account when establishing the harm caused, and where there is established evidence of community or wider impact arising from the offence, the sentence may be aggravated.

Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether it remains his Department's policy to carry out reforms to prevent Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Protection, as announced on 20 July 2022.

Gareth Johnson: Our recent Call for Evidence response, published on 20 July, sets out the Government’s intention to tackle SLAPPs, and the Government is currently exploring appropriate legislative opportunities to do so.

Custody

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the support available to mothers going through custody proceedings.

Gareth Johnson: This Government is committed to ensuring that parents can get the support they need to access the justice system across England and Wales. Since 2014, the Ministry of Justice has provided over £20 million of grant funding through not-for-profit organisations who provide a range of services to support individuals, including parents involved in private law proceedings. In July 2022, the Ministry of Justice launched the Help Accessing Legal Support Grant, which will inject a further £3.2 million into the legal support sector by March 2023.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Asia-Pacific Region: Visits Abroad

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, which Heads of Government from the Asia/Pacific region attended the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Jesse Norman: Overseas Representatives from over 190 countries and territories confirmed attendance at the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 19 September. This included Heads of State, Heads of Government and Heads of Diplomatic Missions accredited to the Court of St. James's. From the Asia/Pacific region, invitations were not extended to Afghanistan, Russia or Myanmar. Attendees were changing up to, and including, the day of the State Funeral. The FCDO is therefore unable to verify 100% exactly which Heads of Government from the Asia/Pacific region were both invited to and subsequently attended the State Funeral.

Migrants: British Indian Ocean Territory

Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what onward travel options his Department offers to migrants accommodated on Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory.

Jesse Norman: Migrants on the British Indian Ocean Territory are not in detention and are free to leave at any time. The UK government has thus far assisted the voluntary return of over sixty migrants by plane to Sri Lanka. The UK government remains committed to supporting the departure of the migrants from the British Indian Ocean Territory, and to meeting its legal obligations to ensure that they are not at risk of persecution on return to their country of nationality.

Tropical Diseases: Disease Control

Zarah Sultana: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to tackle (a) malaria, (b) leprosy and (c) other neglected tropical diseases globally.

Vicky Ford: The UK is committed to driving down the number of malaria cases and deaths. This is closely linked with the UK's ambition to end the preventable deaths of mothers, newborns and children. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (the Global Fund) is the UK's main financing mechanism for combatting malaria. We have been the third largest donor over its lifetime, contributing over £4.4 billion. The UK is also a leading investor in research and innovation to combat malaria and in market shaping interventions to bring down prices of new products and tackle barriers to widespread access.

Migrants: British Indian Ocean Territory

Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many migrants are situated on Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory.

Jesse Norman: As of 3 October 2022 the number of migrants situated on Diego Garcia is 109.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Electronic Purchasing Card Solution

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 September to Question 47402, if the payments made by his Department to the official Norwich City Football Club online store of (a) £1,318 on 21 October 2021, and (b) £523.50 on 21 March 2022, were subject to his Department’s normal assurance checks on the use of government procurement cards.

Gillian Keegan: Yes we are content that the referenced payment was subject to normal FCDO controls and in line with government procurement card policy. These were payments for an overseas shared values children's project.

Indo-Pacific Region: Deployment

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make it his policy to increase the number of personnel from his Department deployed to the Indo-Pacific region.

Jesse Norman: The Integrated Review in March 2021 affirmed the UK's increased focus and long-term commitment to the Indo-Pacific. The UK has since increased its diplomatic presence in the region; examples include the opening of a new High Commission in Tonga (May 2021) and the official opening of the British High Commission in the Maldives (February 2022).The UK's increased focus on the region is a whole of Government effort with many departments supporting roles at posts in the region. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is continuing to increase its presence in recognition of the importance of this region to UK interests.

Food Supply: Females

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) international counterparts to help ensure that hunger outbreaks do not (i) remove girls from schooling and (ii) increase exposure of girls to (A) child, early and forced marriage, (B) child labour and (C) sexual exploitation and abuse.

Vicky Ford: Food insecurity has a disproportionate impact on women and girls. FCDO works with its delivery partners and collaborates with other departments to protect and support women and girls during crises, including hunger outbreaks. The UK used its G7 Presidency last year to ensure that action on gender-based violence was incorporated in the first ever G7 Compact on Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Crises. Further activity includes:- Since 2019 the UK-led Girls' Education South Sudan Programme has provided almost 900,000 girls with cash transfers to support them to overcome poverty-related barriers to education which could include purchasing food items.- Our investment in the UN Global Programme to End Child Marriage supports girls at heightened risk of child marriage due to food insecurity and drought.- In May 2022 the UK pledged its support at the 5th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour, agreeing a 'Call to Action on the Elimination of Child Labour' including eliminating direct and indirect barriers to quality and compulsory education for girls.- The UK is meeting with food security partners to ensure action is taken to prevent and minimise sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and will continue to work with our partners to support women and girls through this crisis.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Electronic Purchasing Card Solution

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 September to Question 47401, for what reason it would cost more than £800 to provide answers as to (a) the purpose of the payments made by his Department to Finishing Touches of (i) £2,360 on 15 November 2021, and (ii) £1,973.30 on 22 March 2022, and (b) where in the UK that supplier is located.

Gillian Keegan: This payment was one of 46 questions submitted by the MP, which referenced more than 250 transactions in total. The resource required to collate this information would be above the disproportionate cost threshold. This spend relates to maintenance and replacement of furnishings and fittings at an official office in Gibraltar.

Yemen: Humanitarian Situation

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the humanitarian situation in Yemen.

Gillian Keegan: The UK is actively monitoring the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Yemen. We fully support the UN Special Envoy, Hans Grundberg, and urge the parties to engage constructively with the efforts he is leading towards peace, including by implementing the truce and the associated confidence building measures. The UK shares the UN assessment of the humanitarian situation published in the 2022 Yemen Humanitarian Needs Overview. We meet regularly with our partners in Yemen to evaluate the situation and have conducted several visits to Yemen to assess the humanitarian situation in the last 12 months. The UK has played a leading role in responding to the humanitarian crisis, committing over £1 billion in aid since the conflict began. We will spend at least £88 million in UK aid over the course of this financial year 2022/23.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Electronic Purchasing Card Solution

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 7 July to Question 28878 on Electronic Purchasing Card Solution, how many of the procurement cards in her Department are held by individuals based primarily (a) in the UK and (b) overseas.

Gillian Keegan: We can confirm the following split of Government Procurement Cards held by FCDO officers:- Total - 4,418. UK - 871. Overseas - 3,547.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Electronic Purchasing Card Solution

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 September to Question 47401, if the payments made by his Department to Finishing Touches of (a) £2,360 on 15 November 2021, and (b) £1,973.30 on 22 March 2022, were subject to his Department’s normal assurance checks on the use of government procurement cards.

Gillian Keegan: Yes we are content that the referenced payment was subject to normal FCDO controls and in line with government procurement card policy. These were payments for repair, maintenance, cleaning or replacement of furnishings and fittings at official offices and residences.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Electronic Purchasing Card Solution

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 September to Question 47433, if the payment of £3,513.33 made by his Department to Sei Soccer.Com on 9 March 2022 was (a) subject to his Department’s normal assurance checks on the use of government procurement cards, and (b) found to be an appropriate use of public money.

Gillian Keegan: Yes we are content that the referenced payment was subject to normal FCDO controls and was an appropriate use of public money. This was a payment for event costs.

Afghanistan: Refugees

Stephen Kinnock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information his Department holds on the number and proportion of Expressions of Interest in resettlement to the UK under pathway three of the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme, received by his Department prior to 15 August 2022, which were submitted by Afghan nationals who were (a) British Council contractors; (b) GardaWorld contractors and (c) Chevening alumni.

Leo Docherty: Under the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) Pathway 3, the FCDO received over 11,400 Expressions of Interest (EOIs) before the window to submit EOIs closed on 15 August 2022. We are in the process of assessing their eligibility and have started notifying individuals of the outcome. We are not yet in a position to provide numbers for each of the 3 cohorts who meet the eligibility criteria. In the first year, we will offer up to 1500 places to eligible at-risk British Council contractors, GardaWorld contractors, and Chevening alumni, including their eligible family members.

Afghanistan: Refugees

Stephen Kinnock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many Expressions of Interest in resettlement to the UK under pathway three of the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme were submitted to his Department by Afghan nationals prior to 15 August 2022; and what estimate he has made of the number and proportion of such Expressions of Interest which were submitted by individuals who meet the current eligibility criteria for resettlement under that pathway.

Leo Docherty: Under the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) Pathway 3, the FCDO received over 11,400 Expressions of Interest (EOIs) before the window to submit EOIs closed on 15 August 2022. We are in the process of assessing their eligibility and have started notifying individuals of the outcome. We are not yet in a position to provide numbers for each of the 3 cohorts who meet the eligibility criteria. In the first year, we will offer up to 1500 places to eligible at-risk British Council contractors, GardaWorld contractors, and Chevening alumni, including their eligible family members.

Refugees: Afghanistan

Chris Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress he has made on opening the third referral pathway in the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme.

Leo Docherty: The third referral Pathway of the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme was opened on 20 June 2022, when eligible at-risk Chevening alumni and British Council and Gardaworld contractors were invited to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs). The FCDO received over 11,400 EOIs and are reviewing them to assess if the eligibility criteria have been met. We have started notifying individuals of the outcome.

Migrants: British Indian Ocean Territory

Sarah Champion: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what communication facilities are available to migrants accommodated on Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory.

Jesse Norman: The migrants' welfare and safety has been a priority and we have helped to provide food, telecoms and medical support, as well as interim provision for education and welfare. Telephone and iPad use are available to migrants so that they are able to call their legal representatives at any time. We have made additional provision for other calls, such as to families, as capacity and conditions allow.

Indo-Pacific Region

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with the governments of Pacific nations since his appointment.

Jesse Norman: During the United Nations General Assembly week, the Foreign Secretary met with the Governments of Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu as part of a 'Partners in the Blue Pacific' meeting, and the Minister for Asia, Lord Goldsmith, met with Prime Minister Fiame, Samoa. The Pacific region is integral to the UK's Indo-Pacific tilt and we continue to seek opportunities for further engagement with Pacific Island countries on a range of shared priorities.

Somalia: Security

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment has he made of the security implications of the security situation in Somalia during drought and food shortages in that country.

Gillian Keegan: Drought and food insecurity, combined with an already difficult security situation, are having a serious impact on Somalia. Displacement rates are increasing, including due to ongoing conflict. The UK is a major security partner to Somalia and in the region, working with others to counter Al-Shabaab and build Somali security forces' capacity. The UK is also providing urgently needed humanitarian assistance to those most affected in Somalia and across the region. On 21 September at the UN General Assembly, the Minister for Development, Vicky Ford MP, announced £22.8 million package assistance for Somalia to alleviate the impact of drought and address the risk of famine. This brings the UK's total support to Somalia since 1 April 2022 to £52.8 million covering humanitarian, protection, health, and nutrition support. We are also stepping up our diplomatic and political engagement to increase life-saving support from the international community.

Eritrea: Ethiopia

Ms Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking through (a) direct engagement with the Government of Eritrea and (b) coordinated action with international partners to end the renewed involvement of Eritrea in the conflict in northern Ethiopia; and what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of mirroring sanctions issued by the US on entities connected with Eritrea’s involvement in the conflict.

Gillian Keegan: The breakdown of the truce between the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Ethiopian Government, and the renewed involvement of Eritrea, is catastrophic for the people of Ethiopia. The UK is heavily involved in international efforts to de-escalate conflict, stressing the need for a political solution, humanitarian access and accountability for atrocities.On 22 September, Minister for Development Vicky Ford MP raised the impact of a resumption of fighting with Ethiopia's Deputy Prime Minister Demeke. She reiterated calls for a truce, restoration of humanitarian access to Tigray and for Eritrean forces to leave. I [Minister Keegan] released a similar message on the same day. Our Embassies in Addis Ababa and Asmara continue to engage with parties to the conflict to deliver these messages.The UK continues to consider the full range of policy tools at our disposal to protect human rights and deter violations of international humanitarian law. It is longstanding practice not to speculate on future sanctions designations as to do so could reduce the impact of the designations.

Libya: IRA

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans he has to publish the Shawcross Report into Libyan-sponsored IRA terrorism in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Keegan: The UK Government reiterates its sympathy for UK victims of Qadhafi-sponsored IRA terrorism and indeed for all victims of the Troubles. The Government set out its position on Mr Shawcross's report on compensation for UK victims of Qadhafi-sponsored IRA terrorism in a Written Ministerial Statement made on 23 March 2021. Mr Shawcross's report was commissioned as an internal scoping report, to provide internal advice to Ministers. Its content is based on private, confidential conversations and information shared on this basis. The responsibility for providing compensation specifically for the actions of the Qadhafi regime lies with the Libyan State. The Government has repeatedly urged the Libyan authorities, including at the highest levels of the Libyan government, to engage with UK victims and their representatives, and to address their claims for compensation.

Nuclear Weapons

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) his European counterparts on plans to respond to a nuclear detonation in (i) Europe and (ii) the UK.

Leo Docherty: The UK has well-developed contingency plans to respond to a wide range of eventualities. The plans and supporting arrangements have been developed, refined and tested over many years. These plans are risk-based, built on the principle of generic capabilities able to respond to a wide range of events. We continue to coordinate with allies and partners across a range of issues.

Ethiopia and Somalia: Development Aid

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to increase the flow of life-saving aid to all areas of (a) Ethiopia and (b) Somalia.

Gillian Keegan: On 21 September at the UN General Assembly, the Minister for Development, Vicky Ford, announced a package of assistance for Somalia to alleviate the impact of drought and address the risk of famine. This brings the UK's total support to Somalia since 1 April 2022 to £52.8 million comprising of humanitarian, protection, health and nutrition programme interventions.This financial year the UK will provide approximately £156 million to respond to the Humanitarian crisis in East Africa. Our support is providing millions of people with essential services and supplies including food, water and healthcare.

Ethiopia: Humanitarian Aid

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure the approval of new business cases to provide humanitarian and food security support in Ethiopia; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what channels he intends to use to disburse new (a) humanitarian, (b) food security and (c) livelihoods funding to Ethiopia; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Keegan: Ministers are currently reviewing a business case for a new humanitarian and resilience building programme in Ethiopia. We will announce plans for providing further support in due course.

East Africa: Food Supply

Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the food security situation in East Africa.

Gillian Keegan: Across East Africa over 68 million people require humanitarian aid due to a combination of pressures including an unprecedented fourth consecutive season of failed rains, conflict (including the impacts of Russia's invasion of Ukraine), COVID-19 and flooding. Of this number, over 51 million people face severe food insecurity, of which 700,000 are facing famine-like conditions in South Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia. In the Horn of Africa, as a result of the drought, an estimated 26 million people are forecast to face severe levels of food insecurity by February 2023. Recent data from the Bay region in Somalia projects that in the absence of timely, scaled-up, multi-sectoral assistance, famine is likely to occur between October to December this year. Across the Horn of Africa an unprecedented fourth consecutive season of failed rains is causing a region-wide crisis. Meteorological agencies forecast warnings of further failed rains between October and December this year, which risk deepening the already critical humanitarian situation. Severe humanitarian needs will persist into 2023.

East Africa: Development Aid

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking the help (a) reduce the risk of future drought in East Africa and (b) build resilience in those countries to mitigate future hunger.

Gillian Keegan: In Financial Year 2022/23, the UK will be providing approximately £156 million to East Africa in humanitarian aid. Our support is providing millions of people with essential services and supplies including food, water and healthcare. In Somalia, to alleviate the impact of drought and address the risk of famine, since 1 April 2022 the UK has allocated £52.8 million in humanitarian, protection, health and nutrition support.The UK is also building on our past investments to help the region become more resilient. We have come together with the Ethiopian Government on the Productive Safety Net Programme, helping 8 million people in drought prone areas of the country. In Kenya, a similar programme in drought-prone areas has reached over half a million people. In Somalia, the UK provided £17.4 million in climate financing in the last financial year. This supported over 570,000 people to cope with the impacts of climate change. In South Sudan we are also increasing the capacity of vulnerable households to cope with climate shocks and stresses, and improve their security through regular and predictable cash transfers.

Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much of the UK's pledge to the sixth replenishment of the Global Fund to Fight AIDs, Tuberculosis and Malaria has been disbursed to date.

Vicky Ford: The UK was the 2nd largest donor to the Global Fund's sixth replenishment with a pledge of up to £1.46 billion. £1.176 billion of our core contribution to the Global Fund has been disbursed as on 20 September 2022, including an additional £60 million payment to the Global Fund's COVID-19 Response Mechanism.

Ukraine: British Nationals Abroad

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of British citizens fighting in Ukraine.

Leo Docherty: The UK Government is aware that there are British nationals serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, but does not have an estimate of the total number of British nationals fighting in Ukraine.

Europe: Politics and Government

Mr Richard Holden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of potential UK involvement in the European Political Community proposed by the President of France in May 2022.

Leo Docherty: The Prime Minister attended the inaugural Summit of European Leaders in Prague on 6 October. The Prime Minister secured commitments on UK priorities, including demonstrating European support for Ukraine, and energy and illegal migration. The Prime Minister was clear in her engagement ahead of the Summit, including with President Macron on 20 September, that it should not create or duplicate institutional structures (e.g. NATO or the G7), it should be entirely separate from the EU with a non-EU country hosting next, and maintain a wide membership.

Somalia: Development Aid

Ms Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the announcement by the Minister for Development on UK support for people facing famine in the Horn of Africa on 21 September 2022, to which programmes in Somalia funding has been committed; over what time period funding will be provided; and how much of funding has been disbursed as of 22 September.

Gillian Keegan: Almost half of Somalia's population is in need of help with 300,000 people forecast to be in famine by October if assistance is not provided immediately. On 21 September at the UN General Assembly, the UK Minister for Development, Vicky Ford MP, announced £22.8 million package assistance for Somalia to alleviate the impact of drought and address the risk of famine. This brings the UK's total support to Somalia since 1 April 2022 to £52.8 million covering humanitarian, protection, health and nutrition support. Minister Ford also called on the international community to act now to avert disaster, as the humanitarian context is now more concerning than the 2011 drought, when a quarter of a million people lost their lives.The £22.8 million package of assistance is being programmed through three FCDO programmes: i) Somalia Humanitarian and Resilience Programme (2018-2022); ii) Better Lives for Somali Women and Children (2022-2028); and iii) Humanitarian Assistance and Resilience Building in Somalia (2022/23). The funding is for this financial year only. Details on programme spend is published online on UKaid Development Tracker (https://devtracker.fcdo.gov.uk/)

East Africa and Sahel: Food Supply

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the impact of hunger outbreaks on girls in (a) East Africa and (b) the Sahel.

Gillian Keegan: Across East Africa, 51 million people face severe food insecurity. In drought affected areas of Ethiopia the UN has reported a quadrupling in cases of early and forced marriage of young girls. In Somalia, incidents of gender-based violence including rape and intimate partner violence are up by 200 per cent within displaced populations compared with 2021.  In financial year 2022/23 the UK will provide approximately £156 million across East Africa in humanitarian support to the crisis. Through the UK's total support to Somalia this financial year our funding will directly reach women and girls who are at increased risk of gender-based violence.As in East Africa, food shortages alongside conflict, climate and demographic pressures are increasing inequalities and violence against women and girls in the Sahel. In financial year 2022/23, the UK will provide approximately £20 million in humanitarian support in the region.

Myanmar: Sanctions

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will consider further sanctions against the Myanmar authorities following reports of an airstrike on a school in the Sagaing region on 16 September 2022.

Jesse Norman: The attack on the school in Sagaing Region by the Myanmar military was indefensible. On 21 September, the Minister for Asia tweeted in response to the horrific attack, reiterating our calls to end the atrocities and protect the lives of innocent civilians, including children.We will consider all the tools at our disposal to maintain pressure on the regime and respond to serious human rights violations, including further targeted sanctions and keeping Myanmar on the UN Security Council's agenda.

Ministry of Defence

Defence: Procurement

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what support his Department is providing to defence SMEs in the supply chains of Ministry of Defence contracts to help support those businesses with the increased cost of energy.

Alec Shelbrooke: The Government has recently announced the Energy Bill Relief Scheme that will benefit non-domestic energy customers, including defence suppliers. Our collaborative work with defence suppliers through the Defence Suppliers Forum includes discussions on mutually important issues such as energy and resilience.

Defence: Procurement

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to support the acquisition of finance from financial markets for SMEs in the UK defence sector.

Alec Shelbrooke: There is currently no specific support to one particular sector, this is a cross-Government issue and, if agreed, any packages of support will be announced by the appropriate Department in due course.

Warships

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when his Department last undertook a review dedicated to assessing the balance between the Royal Navy’s surface and sub-surface fleets.

Mr Ben Wallace: Defence continuously reviews the Royal Navy's capabilities which look at threats posed to the United Kingdom.

Defence: Energy

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much of his Department's budget has been allocated to help manage the cost of increased energy supplies for defence industry contractors.

Alec Shelbrooke: The Ministry of Defence has not allocated any budget to help manage the cost of increased energy supplies for defence industry. However, the Government has announced the Energy Bill Relief Scheme that will benefit non-domestic energy customers, including defence industry contractors.

Defence: Procurement

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department undertakes an audit of critical supply chains to source the location of components and materials for key defence programmes.

Alec Shelbrooke: The MOD takes the health and resilience of its supply chains very seriously, and our supply chain risk and impact processes routinely draw on knowledge from across the Department, wider government, Industry and Trade AssociationsWe focus on understanding, mapping and monitoring our most critical supply chains to ensure we have robust mitigations in place, including an end-to-end supplier fragility process, to deal with potential supplier or critical component/material failure. We have invested in a department-wide supply chain mapping programme, and we also share intelligence and best practice on common critical supply chains and materials across government and internationally.

Moldova: Russia

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has had discussions with his Moldovan counterpart on the threat posed by Russia to that country following Russian invasion of Ukraine in the last 12 months.

Mr Ben Wallace: The UK strongly supports Moldovan sovereignty and territorial integrity. Defence cooperation with Moldova is mindful of their constitutionally neutral defence forces. I have not met with my Moldovan counterpart in 2022. However, the Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with Moldova to develop the NATO-Moldova Tailored Support Package which will assist defence modernisation and reform. The Prime Minister met with the Moldovan Foreign Minister during the United Nations General Assembly and the Minister for Europe met with Moldovan President Sandu on 19 September 2022.

Ministry of Defence: Public Expenditure

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 13 September 2022 to Question 48229 on Ministry of Defence: Public Expenditure, if he will quantify the adverse changes in the USD rate that his Department has absorbed within the overall departmental position.

Alec Shelbrooke: The increase in costs related to USD rate fluctuation at the beginning of the Department's latest ten year planning period was £513 million over ten years. This has been reflected in adjustments to budget holders' budgets.

Minesweepers: Procurement

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, for what reason the whole-life cost of the Mine Hunting Capability programme has increased by £312 million.

Alec Shelbrooke: Navy Command (NC) is working on future cost modelling of the Mine Hunting Capability programme.The figure of £312 million is not recognised by NC.

Ukraine: Armed Forces

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many UK military personnel are in Ukraine as at 22 September 2022.

James Heappey: UK Service personnel are deployed in Ukraine in support of the UK's diplomatic mission and to better understand how we continue to support Ukraine.I am unable to disclose the exact number due to operational security.

Ukraine: Military Aid

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of UK supplied next generation light anti-tank weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine; and what estimate he has made of the number of Russian tanks incapacitated by these weapons.

James Heappey: The Government is proud to lead the way in providing military assistance to Ukraine. The delivery and provision of aid is dynamic and fast moving so the numbers and types of capability included are likely to change quickly. UK supplied next generation light anti-armour weapons are highly effective against the Russian armour seen on the Ukrainian battlefield to date. They are a low training burden, simple to use, and defeat the various defensive measures employed by the Russian armoured fleet.

Ukraine: Military Aid

Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether UK-supplied arms to Ukraine are subject to any territorial restrictions, including whether they are limited to use in Ukraine only.

James Heappey: We have provided Ukraine with military aid on the understanding that it will be used in accordance with international humanitarian law. We liaise on a daily basis with the Ukrainian Government, and they are clear that equipment provided by the UK is intended for the defence of Ukraine.

Hawk Aircraft

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 14 September 2022 to Question 49064 on Hawk Aircraft, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the disruption to the UK Fast Jet training is minimised over the next three years.

James Heappey: Measures being considered include sending further trainees to the NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training programme in the USA; accelerating planning for No 11 Squadron (Joint Qatar/UK Squadron) at RAF Leeming to train RAF pilots from late 2022 until 2027; and working with allies and partners to examine whether UK pilots could be trained overseas, or where we might pool our resources, to mutual benefit.

Department for Work and Pensions

Children: Maintenance

Peter Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the calculation formula for child maintenance special expenses travel cost claims.

Victoria Prentis: A parent may apply for a contact cost variation for certain travel and accommodation expenses that would reasonably be expected to incur in order to maintain regular contact with a qualifying child, provided they are at least £10.00 per week. This threshold avoids the administrative burden of handling applications that would have little or no effect on the maintenance calculation and the whole amount of the claim can be considered.

Children: Maintenance

Peter Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many applications for travel costs under the child maintenance special expenses system were (a) made and (b) awarded in the last 12 months.

Victoria Prentis: The Child Maintenance system collates Special Expense variation data, however there are 7 categories, of which Contact Costs is one. Regrettably this dataset does not breakdown the 7 categories individually but is only provided as a total volume.

Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations

Kate Osamor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the process is for a claimant who wishes to complain about a health assessment related to their benefit.

Claire Coutinho: Assessment providers (APs) have their own complaints process to deal with dissatisfaction about the service they provide. Complaints about the health assessment are directed to the provider, unless it is a mixed complaint concerning the service provided by both the department and the AP. Mixed complaints are handled by the department. The three APs, Capita and Independent Assessment Services (IAS) for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Centre for Health and Disability Assessments (CHDA) for Work Capability Assessments (WCA), each have webpages explaining how claimants can contact them directly to make a complaint. AP complaints are investigated by a customer relations manager or a case officer, who obtains all relevant evidence to inform a balanced and appropriate reply. If deficiencies are identified, they apologise and advise the department where this may have a bearing on the entitlement decision. This is known as a Tier 1 complaint response. If a claimant is dissatisfied with the investigation and outcome of a Tier 1 complaint this can be looked at afresh by a senior manager who will review the initial investigation and obtain further evidence if appropriate. The outcome is then conveyed to the claimant by the AP and is referred to as a Tier 2 complaint response. If, following Tier 1 and 2 of the complaints process, the claimant is still dissatisfied, they can contact the Independent Case Examiner (ICE) to look at their complaint.

Social Security Benefits: Medical Examinations

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when her Department will publish an update on its progress on the Health Transformation Programme.

Claire Coutinho: The Health Transformation Programme (HTP) is modernising Health and Disability benefit services. The Department has no plans to publish an update at present, due to ongoing Commercial activity and the Programme being in the early stages of developing the service. The Programme will continue to provide key updates to Parliament at the appropriate time.

Disabled: Heating

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimates has she made of the additional energy costs that accumulate for disabled people in heating  their accommodations.

Claire Coutinho: Whilst the Department has not made any such estimates, the government understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living and has taken further decisive action to support people with their energy bills. The new “Energy Price Guarantee” will mean a typical household in Great Britain will pay, on average, around £2,500 a year on their energy bill for the next 2 years from 1 October. The consumer saving will be based on usage, but a typical household will save at least £1,000 a year (based on current prices from October). This is in addition to the over £37bn of cost of living support announced earlier this year which includes the £400 non-repayable discount to eligible households provided through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. The £37 billion Cost of Living package includes UK-wide support to help disabled people with the extra costs they are facing. The 6 million people who receive non-means-tested extra-costs disability benefits, including Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payment, are due to receive a one-off Disability Cost of Living Payment of £150 before the beginning of October. In addition, households where someone is in receipt of a means-tested benefit will be eligible for up to an additional £650 in Cost of Living Payments and pensioner households will receive a one-off payment of £300 through, and as an addition to, the Winter Fuel Payment from November.

Access to Work Programme

Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether it is her Departments policy that people applying for support for equipment under the Access to Work programme are required to make a new application when they change jobs.

Claire Coutinho: To enable disabled people to receive the appropriate in-work support, they may need to contact Access to Work when they change job if their support needs or equipment change. Where the disabled person changes job and their support needs and equipment remain the same, there is no need to make a new application, as Access to Work will fund the costs of moving equipment previously funded by Access to Work. To support disabled people to have flexibility to access short term contracts, Access to Work has also introduced a flexible application for self-employed freelancers and contractors. The flexible application enables support to be transitioned from job to job, regardless of the time lapse between periods of employment and provides assurance for the disabled person and potential employers.

State Retirement Pensions

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of raising the state pension in line with inflation before the annual uprating due in April 2023.

Alex Burghart: The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is required by law to undertake an annual review of State Pensions and benefits. The outcome of that review will be announced later this year, and the new rates of state pensions will enter into force from 10 April 2023.

State Retirement Pensions

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of trends in the level of real terms value of the state pension following the increase in the cost-of-living.

Alex Burghart: The Government has acted to protect pensioners against the current cost of living situation with a range of support. The value of the State Pension should not be considered in isolation.Since 2010, the full yearly amount of the basic State Pension has risen by over £2,300, in cash terms. That's £720 more than if it had been uprated by prices, and £570 more than if it had been uprated by earnings. The Government has committed to implementing the Triple Lock in the usual way for the remainder of the Parliament.

Housing Benefit: Supported Housing

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the number of approvals for Housing Benefit for tenants living in supported exempt accommodation in (a) Birmingham, (b) Blackpool, (c) Hull, (d) Bristol and (e) England in the last 12 months.

Alex Burghart: The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Housing Benefit: Supported Housing

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the number of applications for Housing Benefit from tenants living in supported exempt accommodation in (a) Birmingham, (b) Blackpool, (c) Hull, (d) Bristol and (e) England in the last 12 months.

Alex Burghart: The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Housing Benefit

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the number of approvals for Housing Benefit in (a) Birmingham and (b) England in the last (i) 12 months, (ii) 3 years and (iii) 5 years.

Alex Burghart: Statistics on monthly Housing Benefit on-flows, by country and local authority, from May 2018 to May 2022, are available at:https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/ Guidance on how to extract the information required can be found at:https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Getting-Started.html

Housing Benefit

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the number of applications for Housing Benefit in (a) Birmingham and (b) England in the last (i) 12 months, (ii) 3 years and (iii) 5 years.

Alex Burghart: The information requested for the number of Housing Benefit applications is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Employment and Support Allowance

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 7 September 2022 to Question 45546 on Employment and Support Allowance, whether her Department has contacted every person eligible for compensation.

Claire Coutinho: As part of the IB to ESA reassessment LEAP exercise the department reviewed around 600,000 cases and made 118,000 arrears payments amounting to over £600m. Special payments for maladministration are made in line with the Department’s Special Payments policy. Where an individual feels they may be eligible for a Special Payment, they can contact the Department and set out their reasons. All requests received will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Universal Credit

Drew Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of excluding the sale of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles from Universal Credit income assessments.

Victoria Prentis: The treatment of capital in any benefit that assists with living expenses is not a straightforward matter. The current system allows people to continue to receive benefit even though they may have an amount of capital from £6,000 by gradually reducing the level of their entitlement. The level beyond which capital starts to be considered is £6,000. This is because it is right that there is a point at which people with more substantial capital use these resources to help maintain themselves. The capital limit above which Universal Credit entitlement ends is £16,000. This strikes a balance between protecting less well-off people and the taxpayer, whilst at the same time recognising the conscientious efforts of people who have built up capital. This limit also ensures that the help which comes from taxpayers, many of whom are themselves on low incomes and have limited capital, is directed to people who need it most.

Jobcentres: Kirkcaldy

Peter Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claimants were assigned from (a) KY6 and (b) KY7 postcodes to the temporary Jobcentre in Kirkcaldy as part of her Department's Rapid Estate Expansion Programme in (a) 2020, (b) 2021 and (c) 2022.

Victoria Prentis: Ahead of the temporary Jobcentre in Kirkcaldy opening in March 2022, there were 240 Universal Credit claimants assigned from the KY7 postcode, and none from the KY6 postcode. Current information about the assignment of claimants from these postcodes is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate costs.

Hazardous Substances: Planning Authorities

Peter Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what is the target time frame for the Health and Safety Executive to respond to hazardous substances consent enquiries from planning authorities; (a) how many and (b) what proportion of such enquiries were responded to within that time frame in the last 12 months; and of the enquiries that were not responded to within that time frame in the last 12 months, what was the average length of wait for a response.

Peter Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that responses to Hazardous Substance Consent enquiries from planning authorities are delivered on time.

Claire Coutinho: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is a statutory consultee for Hazardous Substances Consent Applications. The assessments undertaken by HSE for each Hazardous Substance Consent Application are complex and underpin HSE’s statutory advice to Hazardous Substances Authorities. This advice is aimed at mitigating the effects of a major accident on the population around a major hazard site. In July 2012, as part of the government’s response to the Penfold Review, HSE agreed to deliver its Hazardous Substance Consent statutory advice to Hazardous Substance Authorities within 13-26 weeks of receiving a valid application. HSE continues to work to these agreed timeframes, which reflect the detailed assessment work needed. HSE processes between 60 and 80 Hazardous Substance Consent applications a year. In 2020/21 (the last full year where data is available) HSE provided advice for 67% of the 61 Hazardous Substance Consent applications received within the 26 week deadline. HSE meets regularly with Hazardous Substances Consent policy leads from England, Scotland and Wales. HSE understands that there are no current plans for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) or Devolved Administrations to amend Hazardous Substance Consent legislation to reflect the timescales agreed through the Penfold Review, however HSE will be publishing information on its website to advise applicants on the timescales involved. HSE has also produced a smart form to aid the submission of valid applications and is also recruiting to maintain its current numbers of specialist risk assessors, who undertake this expert assessment work.

Access to Work Programme

Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 5 July 2022 to Question 28414 on Access to Work Programme, how many applications to their Department's Access to Work Scheme are outstanding as of 5 September 2022; and what steps their Department are taking to tackle those outstanding applications.

Claire Coutinho: The Department's Access to Work Scheme had 25,101 applications outstanding as of 5 September 2022. Please note that the data supplied is derived from unpublished management information, which was collected for internal Departmental use only, and have not been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics publication standard. They should therefore be treated with caution.   Access to Work (AtW) are currently receiving an increased level of applications for support and are working through all applications to ensure that they are progressed as soon as possible, as well as recruiting new team members to increase capacity. For applications where a customer is due to begin a new job in the next 4 weeks (whether employed or self-employed), their case will be prioritised, and contact made as soon as possible. Renewal applications for on-going support are also being prioritised and in the majority of cases, support approved using a new streamlined process. All other Case Managers are deployed to work on the oldest outstanding cases and overtime working for AtW staff is also being used.

Universal Credit: Work Capability Assessment

Sir Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 5 September 2022 to Question 40729 on Universal Credit: Work Capability Assessment, what the aggregate outcomes of Work Capability Assessments for people claiming Universal Credit were in each of the most recent 12 months for which data is available.

Claire Coutinho: The table below shows the latest Universal Credit Work Capability Assessment decisions recorded between July 2021 and June 2022 by the month the decision was recorded on the Universal Credit System across GBR.  NO LIMITED CAPABILITY FOR WORKLIMITED CAPABILITY FOR WORKLIMITED CAPABILITY FOR WORK RELATED ACTIVITIESJul-2111,6009,20030,000Aug-219,6007,60022,900Sep-2111,2008,80029,200Oct-2110,7009,20030,300Nov-214,7008,20028,200Dec-214,8007,70028,300Jan-229,30010,20032,100Feb-2212,3009,40033,900Mar-2215,80011,10039,300Apr-2211,4008,30029,300May-228,40010,70039,300Jun-2210,10010,60036,200

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Water Companies: Pollution

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the efficacy of the fines mechanism for reducing sewage discharge by water companies.

Trudy Harrison: Ofwat and the Environment Agency can take enforcement action when a water company is in breach of its statutory duties and licence obligations. The Environment Agency can pursue criminal prosecution for which there can be unlimited fines. Since 2015, the Environment Agency has brought 54 prosecutions against water companies, securing fines of almost £140 million.For the most serious contraventions, Ofwat can impose financial penalties on companies. For example, in 2019, Ofwat imposed a penalty package on Southern Water of £126 million for spills of wastewater into the environment from its sewerage plants and for deliberately misreporting its performance. The Environment Agency and Ofwat have recently launched the largest criminal and civil investigations into water company sewage discharges ever, at over 2200 treatment works, following new data coming to light as a result of increased monitoring.We will not let companies get away with illegal activity and where breaches are found, we will not hesitate to hold companies to account.

Sewage: Waste disposal

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of sewage discharges into (a) rivers, (b) lakes and (c) the sea.

Trudy Harrison: We have been clear that the failure of water companies to adequately reduce sewage discharges is totally unacceptable. Our recently launched Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan will require water companies to deliver the largest infrastructure programme in water company history and our new strict targets will see the toughest ever crack down on sewage spills.By 2035, water companies will have to improve all storm overflows discharging into or near every designated bathing water; and improve 75% of overflows discharging to high priority nature sites.Overflows that are causing the most harm will be addressed first to make the biggest difference as quickly as possible, and water companies will be expected to consider nature-based solutions in their planning. Our plan will protect the ecology of our rivers, seas and lakes, and the public health of our water users for generations to come.

Deposit Return Schemes: Glass

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of including glass in the Deposit Return Scheme.

Trudy Harrison: HM Government has consulted twice on the introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) and given careful consideration to the materials that should be part of the scheme. We set out in the Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (EPR) consultation response in March 2022 that glass would not be part of the DRS in England, instead part of Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging.We will continue to work with industry and the Devolved Administrations as we finalise policy positions and secondary legislation in order to support delivery of an efficient and effective DRS.

Animals: Overseas Trade

Ben Lake: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his policy is on the proposed bans on the export of live animals for slaughter and the import of huntingtrophies; and if he will make a statement.

Scott Mann: HM Government recognises the long-standing public concern with live animals being exported for slaughter and fattening, and plans to proceed with a ban on the export of livestock and horses from England, Wales and Scotland for slaughter and fattening, as set out in its response to the public consultation last year. This will be done as soon as soon as Parliamentary time allows. We have pledged to ban the imports of hunting trophies from thousands of species. HM Government is committed to a ban that is among the strongest in the world and leads the way in protecting endangered animals. We welcome the Private Member’s Bill, led by Henry Smith MP, that will deliver this.

Water Companies

Navendu Mishra: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of the level of (a) executive pay and (b) shareholder dividends at private water companies.

Trudy Harrison: HM Government and Ofwat have set an expectation that companies must be transparent about how performance-related executive pay and dividends are linked to services for customers, including environmental performance.David Black, Ofwat Chief Executive, recently reiterated that "performance-related pay for CEOs should be clearly linked to their performance for customers, the environment and society. Performance-related pay can't be a one-way street, if companies are not performing that should be reflected in executive pay."Ofwat is currently consulting on improving financial resilience in the water sector. This includes modifying the dividend licence condition to require that dividend policies and dividends declared or paid should take account of service delivery for customers and the environment over time, including performance levels.This will enable Ofwat to take enforcement action against companies that do not link dividend payments to performance, or those failing to be transparent about their dividend pay-outs.Ofwat plans to report on an analysis it is completing of whether it feels companies have clearly made the link between performance and performance-related pay.

Food Supply

Alex Sobel: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he will take to increase food (a) security, (b) resilience and (c) localised routes to market in the UK.

Mark Spencer: Recognising the importance of food security, in the Agriculture Act 2020, HM Government made a commitment to produce an assessment of our food security at least once every three years. The first UK Food Security Report was published in December 2021. It recognised the contribution made by British farmers to our resilience, and the importance of strong domestic production alongside trade with stable countries to our food security. The UK’s high degree of food security is built on supply from diverse sources. We produce 61% of all the food we need, and 74% of food which we can grow or rear in the UK for all or part of the year (figures which have changed little over the last 20 years). International trade supplements domestic production, and also ensures that any disruption from risks such as adverse weather or disease does not affect the UK's overall security of supply. Defra has well established ways of working with the industry and across HM Government to monitor risks that may arise. This includes extensive, regular and ongoing engagement in preparedness for, and response to, issues with the potential to cause disruption to food supply chains. As HM Government, we have a Manifesto commitment that we want people at home and abroad to be lining up to buy British. One of our key focuses is to support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which make up 97.8% of food and drink manufacturing businesses. HM Government hosted a Regional Food and Drink Summit in Birmingham in March 2022. The Summit successfully brought together SMEs and regional organisations to share best practice and access support to grow their business through exporting, selling direct to consumers, accessing public sector procurement opportunities and promoting their products at a regional level. Building on the Summit we will continue to empower businesses and regional organisations to leverage growth opportunities, champion their regional food identity and develop links with local tourism through a series of regional workshops and guides.

Sky Lanterns

Virginia Crosbie: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he is taking steps to ban sky lanterns.

Trudy Harrison: We are commissioning new research to examine the risks that sky lanterns pose to the environment and potential avenues for mitigating any significant risks. We expect this new research to be completed in the new year, following which we will be in a position to consider next steps.Local authorities already have powers to apply local controls to restrict or ban the use of sky lanterns on council or public land. A number of councils have already introduced a ban in England, Scotland and Wales.

Horticulture: Peat

Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his Department's policies of the Horticultural Trade Association's press release entitled HTA response to Defra announcement on horticultural peat, dated 27 August 2022.

Trudy Harrison: I welcome the good progress made in terms of reducing the quantity of peat used in growing media. However, there is significant support for ending the use of peat in horticulture which will contribute to our net zero carbon targets and prevent biodiversity loss. Officials are currently engaging with stakeholders, including the Horticultural Trade Association, in order to identify and overcome the remaining technical barriers to ending the use of peat in horticulture.

Dangerous Dogs: Exemptions

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress he has made on the consultation of Breed Specific Legislation (Dangerous Dogs) Act 1991 to exempt dogs that are adaptable to family and pet life.

Scott Mann: Section 1 of The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 prohibits owning or keeping four types of dog: the Pit bull terrier; the Dogo Argentino; the Fila Brasileiro; and the Japanese Tosa.HM Government firmly believes that these restrictions play an important part in our overall approach towards tackling dangerous dogs. Any changes to current legislation would require careful consideration to ensure that public safety remains at the heart of the regime.Despite the general prohibitions on these types of dogs, there are already exemptions in place to allow individual prohibited dogs to be kept by their owners (or person for the time being in charge) if a court judges that the dog is not a danger to the public safety.In its assessment, the court must consider the temperament of the dog and its past behaviour, whether the proposed owner is a fit and proper person, and may consider any other relevant circumstances, such as whether the dog can be kept in a suitable environment. If the court considers these criteria to be met, the dog can be listed on the Index of Exempted Dogs and must be kept under strict conditions, including being on a lead and muzzled in public.The Dangerous Dogs Exemption Schemes (England and Wales) Order 2015 also established an interim exemption scheme, which allows prohibited dogs to remain with their owners in advance of a court hearing if the police determine that the dog is not likely to pose a threat to public safety in the meantime. The relevant Chief Officer of Police must be satisfied about the dog's temperament, and the suitability of its owner, for it to be placed on the interim exemption scheme.With regards to rehoming exempted dogs, current legislation only permits transfer of keepership of prohibited dogs where the existing keeper has died or is seriously ill. However, case law has confirmed that a person with a pre-existing relationship with the dog may apply to place it on the Index, even if they are not the owner or most recent keeper.HM Government must balance the views of those people who want to amend the breed specific legislation with our responsibility to ensure that the public is properly protected from dog attacks. Any changes on rehoming must consider the signals this sends about the acceptability of keeping these types of dogs, which are all kept illegally until they enter the Index of Exempted Dogs.

Home Office

Visas: Graduates

Stephen Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the amount of time people holding Graduate visas can stay in the UK after successfully completing a course in the UK.

Stephen Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to engage with UK universities on the effectiveness of the Graduate visa in reducing skills shortages in affected sectors.

Stephen Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of removing application fees for the Graduate visa.

Stephen Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of allowing Graduate visa applicants to pay their healthcare surcharge on an annual basis, rather than upfront.

Stephen Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of removing application fees and healthcare surcharges from the Graduate visa on the likelihood of additional graduates remaining in the UK for work after completing their studies.

Tom Pursglove: The Graduate route was introduced in 2021 to help new graduates who have successfully completed their eligible study in eligible UK universities get a head-start on their career by allowing these graduates to work or look for work for up to three years immediately following their graduation.A full impact assessment of the route was published in March 2021 and can be found on gov.uk at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statement-of-changes-to-the-immigration-rules-hc-1248-4-march-2021The Home Office has no plans to remove the application fee or to extend the length of stay for the Graduate route.

Home Office: Sick Leave

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average number of working days lost to sickness among (a) BAME and (b) non-BAME staff in her Department in the last 12 months.

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the average number of working days lost to sickness among (a) BAME and (b) non-BAME staff in her Department between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2021.

Tom Pursglove: Please see table below.EthnicityAverage Working Days Lost (AWDL)Minority Ethnic10.81White7.82Period Covered: 01/07/2021 to 30/06/2022Organisational Coverage: Home OfficeEmployee Coverage: In line with Cabinet Office guidelines on sickness absence reporting, the data is based on FTE of paid civil servants who had a sickness absence during the period covered.Notes: Figures for Ethnicity are representative of only those staff where ethnicity is known. Those who ‘Prefer not to say’ or are ‘Not Surveyed’ have been excluded.Average Working Days Lost (AWDL)EthnicityDec 2019Dec 2020Dec 2021Minority Ethnic8.426.8410.22White6.715.497.01Dec 2019 & Dec 2020: Adelphi - Home Office Human Resources Record System. Dec 2021: Metis - Home Office Human Capital Management System Period Covered: 1st January to 31st December each yearEmployee Coverage: In line with Cabinet Office guidelines on sickness absence reporting, the data is based on FTE of paid civil servants who had a sickness absence during the period covered.

Refugees: Afghanistan

Chris Law: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what support her Department provides to former serving Afghan military personnel who are still in Afghanistan with resettlement in the UK.

Chris Law: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what support her Department provides to people considered at-risk in Afghanistan who have family naturalised in the UK with resettlement in the UK.

Tom Pursglove: We recognise that the situation in Afghanistan is complex and presents significant challenges, including securing safe passage to another country for those who are eligible for resettlement in the UK. The Government welcomes its responsibility to those who have worked for, and alongside, British forces in conflict zones. They worked in dangerous and challenging situations, and we would not have been able to carry out our work there without them. Any current or former staff directly employed by, or for, the UK Government and assessed to be at serious risk of threat to life are eligible to apply for the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP).  To support eligible people in Afghanistan in applying for the ARAP, we have made information available at: Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy: further information on eligibility criteria, offer details and how to apply - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) The Government provides a safe and legal route to bring families together, through its family reunion policy. This allows a partner, or spouse, and children under 17 of refugees granted protection in the UK, to join them here, if they formed part of the family unit before the sponsor fled their country. To support people in Afghanistan, with family who have been granted protection in the UK, to understand their options, we have provided information on family reunion online, at: Family reunion - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Those who are not eligible for protection under our resettlement schemes or family reunion policy, will need to apply to come to the UK under our existing economic or family migration rules, which can be viewed at: https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration To bolster the support we’ll offer to those eligible for relocation or family reunion in the UK, we intend to establish a diplomatic presence in Afghanistan as soon as the security and political situation in the country allows.

Asylum: Northern Ireland

Claire Hanna: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of sharing of data on (a) pregnant women and (b) children who are asylum seekers with the Executive Office in Northern Ireland to ensure safeguarding and access to appropriate services in Northern Ireland for those people.

Tom Pursglove: The sharing of data is a subject under constant review. We are in close contact with The Executive Office in Northern Ireland and do share data, where it is appropriate to do so, in line with data protection principles.

HM Passport Office: Lost Working Days

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the average number of working days that staff in HM Passport Office were unable to work due to (a) sickness and (b) other reasons in (i) 2019, (ii) 2020, and (iii) 2021.

Tom Pursglove: Please see the table below.Business AreaYear Average Working Days Lost (AWDL) HM Passport OfficeDec 20198.69 HM Passport OfficeDec 20207.43 HM Passport OfficeDec 202110.33 Dec 2019 & Dec 2020: Adelphi - Home Office Human Resources Record System.Dec 2021: Metis - Home Office Human Capital Management System.Period Covered: 1st January to 31st December each year.Employee Coverage: In line with Cabinet Office guidelines on sickness absence reporting, the data is based on FTE of paid civil servants who had a sickness absence during the period covered.On the question relating to 'other reasons' this could cover a range of situations, would require clarification but would probably only be obtained by disproportionate effort.

Refugees: Afghanistan

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 22 September 2022 to Question 49607 on Afghanistan: Refugees, whether the Government's policy of keeping the number of places for each of the thee ACRS pathway 3 cohorts includes the option of increasing the number of resettlement places to beyond 1500.

Tom Pursglove: The Afghan Citizens' Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) will provide up to 20,000 women, children, and others at risk with a safe and legal route to resettle in the UK over the coming years. In August 2021, we helped over 15,000 people to safety in the biggest and fastest emergency evacuation in recent history. And we have continued to bring people to the UK, with over 5,000 people helped to enter since the evacuation. Under the first year of pathway 3 of the ACRS, we will offer resettlement places to up to 1,500 people from the three identified cohorts (British Council and Gardaworld contractors and Chevening alumni). This includes the principal and their eligible family members. The capacity of the UK to resettle people is not unlimited and difficult decisions have to be made on who will be prioritised for resettlement.

Asylum: Applications

Scott Benton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many asylum claims her Department has yet to determine and in which year those claims were initially logged with the Home Office.

Tom Pursglove: There are 99,419 asylum applications awaiting an initial decision as at 30 June 2022.The Home Office publishes data on asylum in the ‘Immigration Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on asylum applications awaiting a decision can be found in table Asy_D03 of the ‘asylum and resettlement detailed datasets’. Information on how to use the datasets can be found in the ‘Notes’ page of the workbooks. Please note the data show a snapshot as at the last day of each quarter, rather than the number of asylum application awaiting a decision over the entire quarter. The latest data relates to as at 30 June 2022. Data as at 30 September 2022 will be published on 24 November 2022. Information on future Home Office statistical release dates can be found in the ‘Research and statistics calendar’.The Home Office are unable to state when these claims were initially lodged; however, published transparency data provides a detailed breakdown of initial asylum claims that have been outstanding for less than 3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months and 12months + and can be found at Asy_02 published transparency data: Migration transparency data - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Seasonal Workers: Qualifications

Owen Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she will expand qualification criteria for employing foreign summer workers to other sectors.

Tom Pursglove: It is unclear as to the immigration route or sectors to which the Honourable Member is specifically referring to. The Points Based System has a broad range of eligible occupations spanning many different economic sectors such as agri-food; travel and tourism; hospitality and creative sectors. UK employers are able to bring in overseas workers through the immigration system, subject to the existing rules and requirements being met.

Members: Correspondence

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 22 September 2022 to Question 49608 on Members: Correspondence, whether her Department’s recovery plan for incremental improvements in service standards over the coming months for responding to MPs’ inquiries includes a date for the return to a 20-day service standard.

Tom Pursglove: The department is working to resolve all outstanding correspondence as a priority and considering a number of options to ensure a return to the 20-day service standard. The department is refining plans and further updates will be provided to colleagues shortly.

Domestic Abuse: Cost of Living

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the cost of living research by Women’s Aid published on 1 August 2022, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the cost of living crisis on victims of financial domestic abuse.

Mims Davies: The Government is committed to ensuring that all victims of domestic abuse receive the support they need, when they need it. In March 2022, we published the cross-Government Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan which invests over £230 million into tackling domestic abuse, including over £140 million for supporting victims.We know that economic abuse can often leave victims economically dependent on abusers, making it harder for them to access safety. The Government is committed to tackling this form of abuse which is why for the first time in history, economic abuse is now recognised in law as part of the statutory definition of domestic abuse, included in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (the Act). Economic abuse is also covered by our Domestic Abuse Statutory Guidance, published July 2022, and draft updated Controlling and Coercive Behaviour Statutory Guidance to provide support to professionals that safeguard and support victims of domestic abuse. In the Domestic Abuse Plan, we have committed £200,000 of funding to further support improving the response to economic abuse.

Social Media: Privacy

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of social media regulations on images being shared online of vulnerable individuals following a major incident such as a terrorist attack.

Tom Tugendhat: The Online Safety Bill will give the power to Ofcom to hold social media companies to account and ensure they abide by their own terms of service to keep users safe, including any policies relating to images shared after a major incident such as a terrorist attack. This will mean companies must be clear about the legal content that they allow on their platforms and apply this rigorously and consistently.However, when a terrorist attack occurs in the UK with an online element, the Home Office will enact its crisis response protocols. This involves working with the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit, affected tech companies, and the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism to ensure appropriate action is taken on content related to the attack, including removal of illegal content and moderation of bystander content if it is likely to breach a company’s terms of service. The Home Office’s crisis response protocol was enacted in response to the terrorist attacks in Streatham and Reading in 2020.

Cycling: Audio Equipment

Sir Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government is taking to help enforce rule 66 of the Highway Code in relation to the wearing of headphones by cyclists; and if she will make a statement.

Jeremy Quin: Rule 66 of the Highway Code applies to cyclists and states that “you should:avoid any actions that could reduce your control of your cyclebe considerate of the needs of other road users when riding in groups. You can ride two abreast and it can be safer to do so, particularly in larger groups or when accompanying children or less experienced riders. Be aware of drivers behind you and allow them to overtake (for example, by moving into single file or stopping) when you feel it is safe to let them do sonot ride close behind another vehicle in case it stops suddenlynot carry anything which will affect your balance or may get tangled up with your wheels or chainbe considerate of other road users, particularly blind and partially sighted pedestrians, and horse riders (see Rule H1). Let them know you are there when necessary, for example, by calling out or ringing your bell if you have one. It is recommended that a bell be fitted”.It is important that cyclists know that the rules of the Highway Code and road traffic law applies to them. Enforcement of road traffic laws, including cycling offences, is an operational matter for the Police in conjunction with their local policing plans.

Refugees: Afghanistan

Chris Law: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what support her Department provides to at-risk (a) third sector and (b) non-governmental organisation staff in Afghanistan with resettlement in the UK.

Tom Pursglove: The Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) will provide up to 20,000 women, children and others at risk with a safe and legal route to resettle in the UK. It is designed to support those who have assisted UK efforts in Afghanistan and stood up for UK values, as well as vulnerable people, such as women and girls. The scheme is not application based. Instead, eligible people will be prioritised and referred for resettlement to the UK through one of three referral pathways set out in the Statement to Parliament of 6 January 2022:https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/oral-statement-on-the-afghan-citizens-resettlement-scheme.Further details on the ACRS referral pathways can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/afghan-citizens-resettlement-scheme. Under Pathway 3 of the ACRS, in the first year, we will offer resettlement places to up to 1,500 people from the three identified cohorts (British Council, GardaWorld contractors and Chevening alumni) and their eligible family members in Afghanistan and the region. The online referral process for this pathway closed on 15 August 2022. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) will be in touch with those eligible to support them through the next steps.Beyond the first year of Pathway 3, the Government will work with international partners and NGOs to welcome wider groups of Afghans at risk.Further information on this can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/afghan-citizens-resettlement-scheme-pathway-3-eligibility-for-british-council-and-gardaworld-contractors-and-chevening-alumni.

Immigration Enforcement Directorate: Sick Leave

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the average number of working days lost to sickness for staff working in Immigration Enforcement in the last 12 months.

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the average number of working days that staff in Immigration Enforcement were unable to work [CLARIFY: due to sickness] in (a) 2019, (b) 2020, and (c) 2021.

Tom Pursglove: Please see table below.Business AreaAverage Working Days Lost (AWDL) Borders and Enforcement9.39 Data Source: Metis - Home Office Human Capital Management SystemPeriod Covered: 01/07/2021 to 30/06/2022Organisational Coverage: Borders and Enforcement data has been provided as Border Force has not existed since the Blueprint changes in October 2021Employee Coverage: In line with Cabinet Office guidelines on sickness absence reporting, the data is based on FTE of paid civil servants who had a sickness absence during the period covered.

UK Visas and Immigration: Sick Leave

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the average number of working days lost to sickness for staff working in UK Visas and Immigration in the last 12 months.

Tom Pursglove: Please see table below.Business Area Average Working Days Lost (AWDL) Visas & Immigration9.15 Data Source: Metis - Home Office Human Capital Management System.Period Covered: 01/07/2021 to 30/06/2022.Employee Coverage: In line with Cabinet Office guidelines on sickness absence reporting, the data is based on FTE of paid civil servants who had a sickness absence during the period covered.

Home Office: Complaints

Owen Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for what reason does the Home Office not share complaint reference numbers with those who make a complaint.

Tom Pursglove: His Majesty’s Passport Office routinely provides a complaint reference number as part of any written complaint response.

Home Office: Lost Working Days

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the average number of working days lost for staff in her Department inclusive of the Border Force between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2021.

Tom Pursglove: Please see the table below.Business AreaYear Average Working Days Lost (AWDL) Border ForceDec 20197.14 Border ForceDec 20205.95 Borders and EnforcementDec 20218.23 Dec 2019 & Dec 2020: Adelphi - Home Office Human Resources Record System.Dec 2021: Metis - Home Office Human Capital Management System.Period Covered: 1st January to 31st December each year.Organisational Coverage:Dec 2019 & Dec 2020: Border Force.Dec 2021: Borders and Enforcement data has been provided as Border Force has not existed since the Blueprint changes in October 2021.Employee Coverage: In line with Cabinet Office guidelines on sickness absence reporting, the data is based on FTE of paid civil servants who had a sickness absence during the period covered.Note: A change in the business hierarchy saw Border Force & Immigration Enforcement become a new department, Borders & Enforcement.

Members: Correspondence

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to allocate additional resources to the Home Office to address delays in correspondence with MPs.

Tom Pursglove: Staffing levels in the MP Account Management team have increased by 20% over the last six months, and recruitment is continuing, with additional staff joining over the coming weeks.

Fire and Rescue Services: Older People

Sir George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of enabling fire services personnel to detect mental health problems among older people during home fire safety visits.

Jeremy Quin: The Home Office is working with the National Fire Chiefs Council to improve Home Fire Safety Visits and ensure a nationally consistent approach across fire and rescue services. This will include tailoring each intervention to the individuals within a particular home, while still allowing for local adaptation in line with local priorities. Where fire and rescue services identify particular issues or concerns during home fire safety visits, they can signpost people to local agencies such as NHS partners or local authorities.

Undocumented Migrants: English Channel

Owen Thompson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how people arriving in the UK by small boat and who are then taken into custody by the Home Office are able to raise concerns about the whereabouts of their possessions.

Tom Pursglove: We operate a comprehensive complaints system for detained individuals who feel that they have not been treated in accordance with our standards, which includes raising concerns about the whereabouts of their possessions. Detained individuals may raise a concern about the whereabouts of their possessions with on-site staff at Manston, or through the Home Office’s published complaints process. We take complaints made by detained individuals very seriously, ensuring that they are investigated thoroughly and in a timely manner. Complaints that relate to detained individuals are investigated in accordance with published guidance; Detention Service Order 03/2015 handling complaints, which is available on the Gov.uk website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/handling-complaints-in-immigration-removal-centres . Detained individuals who submit complaints are not disadvantaged in any way in relation to their treatment while in detention, or in relation to the outcome of their immigration case. Detained persons who are not satisfied with the way in which their complaint has been handled may ask for it to be reviewed by the Independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. All other complaints (outside of circumstances when a person is detained) are governed by the published Complaints Management Guidance, which includes complaints to UKVI, HMPO, IE and Border Force, which is available on the Gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/complaints-management-guidance-version-7

Home Office: Lost Working Days

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the average number of working days lost in her Department at each grade between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2021.

Tom Pursglove: Please see the table below.Average Working Days Lost (AWDL) GradesDec 2019Dec 2020Dec 2021 AA9.159.2513.18 AO9.287.619.88 EO7.956.529.12 HEO5.674.655.88 SEO4.883.574.64 Grade 73.042.743.17 Grade 61.692.192.62 SCS1.601.952.18 Dec 2019 & Dec 2020: Adelphi - Home Office Human Resources Record System.Dec 2021: Metis - Home Office Human Capital Management System.Period Covered: 1st January to 31st December each year.Employee Coverage: In line with Cabinet Office guidelines on sickness absence reporting, the data is based on FTE of paid civil servants who had a sickness absence during the period covered.

UK Border Force: Lost Working Days

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the average number of working days lost for staff working in the Border Force in the last 12 months.

Tom Pursglove: Please see the table below.Business AreaAverage Working Days Lost (AWDL) Borders and Enforcement9.39 Data Source: Metis - Home Office Human Capital Management System.Period Covered: 01/07/2021 to 30/06/2022.Organisational Coverage: Borders and Enforcement data has been provided as Border Force has not existed since the Blueprint changes in October 2021.Employee Coverage: In line with Cabinet Office guidelines on sickness absence reporting, the data is based on FTE of paid civil servants who had a sickness absence during the period covered.

HM Passport Office: Sick Leave

Chris Stephens: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what was the average number of working days lost to sickness for staff working in HM Passport Office during the last 12 months.

Tom Pursglove: Please see the table below.Business Area Average Working Days Lost (AWDL) HM Passport Office10.65 Period Covered: 01/07/2021 to 30/06/2022.Employee Coverage: In line with Cabinet Office guidelines on sickness absence reporting, the data is based on FTE of paid civil servants who had a sickness absence during the period covered.

British National (Overseas): Visas

Stewart Malcolm McDonald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the British National (Overseas) (BNO) visa extension for individuals from Hong Kong born after 1997 with at least one parent with BNO status will apply to young people whose parent is deceased.

Tom Pursglove: On 24 February 2022, the Government announced in a Written Ministerial Statement a change to the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) route which will allow adult children of BN(O) status holders born on or after the 1 July 1997, who are currently unable to apply for the BN(O) route independently to do so. The statement is available at: Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament.Under the new provisions, children born on, or after, 1 July 1997, whose deceased parent held BN(O) status, will be able to qualify for the route, providing they meet all other requirements for the route. Applicants will need to show evidence of the BN(O) status of at least one parent.

Director of Labour Market Enforcement

Stephen Kinnock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she will publish the interim strategy for 2022-23 delivered to the Government by the Director of Labour Market Enforcement in March 2022.

Tom Pursglove: The Director of Labour Market Enforcement is overseen jointly by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Home Office. The 2022-23 strategy will be published in due course.

Members: Correspondence

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential effect of grouping multiple casework responses to MPs on the level of detail and clarity provided to constituents awaiting a response from the Home Office.

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment has she made of the impact on constituents of the change in procedure to reply to multiple cases from an MP within a single response.

Tom Pursglove: A key objective for the Home Office MP Account Management team (MPAM) is to return to its 20-day service standard for responding to Members’ correspondence. A return to service standard will mean Members will be able to provide more timely responses to their constituents.To enable MPAM to return to this service standard, in some instances we are grouping multiple responses into a single letter as a short-term measure. Routine assurance checks are carried out on MPs’ correspondence to ensure that quality is maintained.

Immigration Controls

Sir Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the next Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules will respond to the decision in R (AB &Ors) v SSHD [2022] EWHC 1524 (Admin); and if she will make a statement.

Sir Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the judgment of the High Court in R (AB and Another) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2022] EWHC 1524, in particular paragraph 54 of that judgement, whether she plans to take steps to ensure that the position of a British child is examined and their best interests ascertained before the condition of no recourse to public funds is imposed on their parent’s grant of limited leave to remain; and if she will make a statement.

Tom Pursglove: The Home Office has considered the judgment of the High Court in R (AB and Another) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2022] EWHC 1524. We are in the process of making changes to the online guidance to comply with the judgement and it will be updated in Autumn 2022.Additionally, Gen.1.11A of Appendix FM to the Immigration Rules was laid in Parliament on 15 March 2022 and came into force on 20 June 2022. This states that certain types of leave will normally be granted subject to a condition of no recourse to public funds, unless the applicant has provided the decision-maker with evidence that:(a) the applicant is destitute as defined in section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, or is at risk of imminent destitution(b) there are reasons relating to the welfare of a relevant child which outweigh the considerations for imposing or maintaining the condition (treating the best interests of a relevant child as a primary consideration).

Members: Correspondence

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to a procedural change in responses to MPs on constituency casework, what proportion of cases responded to by her Department were responded to via (a) phone call, (b) individual written response or (c) multiple enquiries within one response.

Tom Pursglove: These measures are part of the Home Office’s MP Account Management team’s recovery plan, and we are currently tracking above forecast. Data showing the proportion of cases answered by each method is unavailable.

Educational Visits: EU Countries

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of reintroducing a List of Travellers scheme for school groups.

Tom Pursglove: The List of Travellers scheme is an EU scheme. As part of its ‘communication on readiness at the end of the transition period between the European Union and the United Kingdom’, the European Commission announced in July 2020 they would no longer be accepting the List of Travellers as a visa waiver for TCN pupils based in the UK with effect from 1 January 2021. In line with phasing out ID cards, third country national pupils legally resident in the EEA or Switzerland have not been able to travel to the UK using the LoT scheme in place of their national passport - and visa if needed - since 1 October 2021. Citizens of some countries are required to obtain a visa before travelling to the UK. This list is set out in the Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor: Visa national list: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-visitor-visa-national-list. The visa requirement is based on nationality rather than the purpose of travel or age of the applicant. The UK’s immigration system is global and applies to all regardless of nationality. All those visiting the UK, including on school visits or exchanges, are assessed against the same immigration rules which area available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-v-visitor. There are currently no plans to change our approach to under 18s travelling as part of an organised group.

Migrants: Children

Sir Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the impact of the no recourse to public funds policy on British children whose parents have no recourse to public funds.

Tom Pursglove: Temporary migrants are generally required to support themselves and any accompanying family members, including children, in the UK without recourse to public funds. This is a well-established principle that protects taxpayer-funded public services from becoming overburdened.Where a child is born in the UK, in order to be a British citizen, at least one parent must be a British citizen or be settled in the UK (such as holding indefinite leave to remain) at the time of the child’s birth. This means that British children will generally have at least one parent who is eligible to claim public funds.Where British children’s parents do have a NRPF condition there are, nonetheless, strong and important safeguards in place to ensure they can receive support where they are destitute, at risk of destitution, or have community care needs, including issues relating to human rights or the wellbeing of children.

Telecommunications Cables: Theft

Sir Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the current prevalence of metal cable theft from telecommunication networks including in rural areas; and what further steps she plans to take to deter such thefts.

Jeremy Quin: The Government is concerned at the current prevalence of metal cable theft and is working closely with police and industry partners to drive down acquisitive crime, including metal theft.The Home Office provided seed corn funding in 2021 to set-up the National Infrastructure Crime Reduction Partnership (NICRP). The NICRP ensures national co-ordination of policing and law enforcement partners to tackle crime affecting infrastructure companies including telecommunications and utility companies, rail networks, agricultural and construction companies. The NICRP shares intelligence between police and industry partners to understand emerging trends and share best practice; as well as working with police to target offenders. The NICRP also alerts its members to crimes in local areas to ensure companies can implement crime prevention measures.The British Transport Police, through the NICRP, has conducted three national weeks of action targeting scrap metal dealers, focused on metal theft, catalytic converter theft and money laundering in the waste industry. This action has resulted in 92 arrests, over 2,000 site visits and recovery of over 1,000 stolen catalytic converters. The NICRP has also trained over 1,600 officers in enforcement powers to deal with scrap metal dealers.Policing partners have plans for further weeks of actions and we will continue to support the NICRP and NPCC lead for acquisitive crime, ensuring effective prevention and enforcement against metal theft and other crime affecting infrastructure companies.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Electric Vehicles: Charging Points

Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps he is taking to ensure that levelling up funding, such as the Future High Street Fund, helps to ensure adequate provision of electric charging infrastructure for (a) cars and (b) mobility scooters in towns.

Dehenna Davison: The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Solent Freeport: New Forest

Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, for what reason the entirety of the New Forest has been included within the provisional boundary of the proposed Solent Freeport.

Dehenna Davison: By delivering investment on specific priority sites, Freeports will create thousands of high-quality jobs in some of our most disadvantaged communities. These sites have been carefully selected for their suitability for development by the local Freeport coalition, which comprises key private partners and Local Authorities who, importantly, provide democratic accountability for the actions of the Freeport. The development sites sit within an ‘outer boundary’ which sets the limit for how far apart they can be and broadly indicates the area they expect to benefit most directly from the Freeport's economic impacts. While the Solent Freeport outer boundary intersects with the New Forest National Park, this in no way means that the area has been earmarked for development nor does this confer any special planning status. Local authorities retain all their statutory powers and responsibilities, including responsibility for providing planning permission. Freeport status in no way undercuts the local planning process and there is no change to the current planning and environment status of national parks.

UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Wales

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether local authorities in Wales will have control over the use of Multiply Programme funds as part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund including (a) activity and (b) expenditure profile.

Dehenna Davison: In Wales we have encouraged local authorities across the four regional strategic geographies to collaborate on the delivery of UKSPF and Multiply. This has been set out in detail in the UKSPF Prospectus and published on GOV.UK.We have now received UKSPF investment plans from the strategic geographies of North Wales, Mid Wales, South West Wales and South East Wales, and have begun the assessment process of these.The investment plans include the selection of interventions they wish to support, including their proposed Multiply activity, and their expenditure profile of both their core UKSPF and Multiply allocation.

Private Rented Housing: Repairs and Maintenance

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what recent steps has he taken to help private housing residents resolve mould or damp issues in their homes.

Paul Scully: Everyone deserves to live in a safe home. Private tenants who are concerned that their home is seriously hazardous due to damp or mould should contact their local council. Councils have a legal duty to take enforcement action if they find seriously hazardous conditions. We have strengthened councils' enforcement powers, introducing financial penalties of up to £30,000, extending rent repayment orders and introducing banning orders for the most serious and prolific offenders

Electoral Register

Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on potential merits of enabling English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish citizens to record their nationality as such when registering to vote.

Paul Scully: Eligibility to register to vote in most elections in the UK rests on several criteria, including nationality. As British nationality encapsulates all four nations in the UK there is no specific need to record further information for the purposes of electoral registration. As such, no discussions on this subject have taken place.

Social Rented Housing: Repairs and Maintenance

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what recent steps has he taken to support local authorities in helping social housing residents access repairs.

Paul Scully: Local authorities provide safe and affordable homes for 1.6 million households in England. We recognise their hard work in maintaining and improving those homes and responding to residents' needs.We expect all registered providers of social housing, including local authorities, to make sure that their properties are well managed and of appropriate quality. They must comply with the regulatory standards set by the independent Regulator of Social Housing. This requires landlords to provide a cost-effective repairs and maintenance service that responds to the needs of and offers choices to tenants and has the objective of getting repairs and improvements right the first time.The Social Housing Regulation Bill, which is currently going through Parliament, will empower the Regulator to have greater scrutiny over all registered providers, including local authorities, proactively assuring itself that they are meeting consumer regulation standards, including those concerning access to repairs. The Regulator will be given stronger enforcement powers to use where registered providers, including local authorities, do not meet the standards.

Military Bases: Community Development

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will take steps with (a) local communities and (b) the Secretary of State for Defence to ensure that the sites of decommissioned military bases are adapted to the needs, demands and character of the area in which they are situated.

Lee Rowley: Due to the role of Ministers in the planning system, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on individual cases or potential cases.Where applications for planning permission come forward, including on decommissioned military sites, they must be determined in accordance with the local development plan, which will set out the vision for growth and the development needs for the area. During the determination of those applications, it is a statutory requirement that the public are consulted and that any representations made are taken into account in decision-making. When granting planning permission, local planning authorities then have broad powers to impose conditions to secure compliance with local policy.

Housing: Older People

Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what progress has been made on establishing a taskforce on older people's housing.

Lee Rowley: In February the Levelling Up White Paper announced a new taskforce on older people’s housing to explore how we can improve the choice of and access to housing options for older people.   We continue to work with in partnership with DHSC, colleagues across government and with housing, health and social care stakeholders to look at how we can further support the growth of a thriving older people’s housing sector.

Cabinet Office

Mark Fullbrook

Nick Smith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information Mark Fullbrook, the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff, asked to declare upon his appointment.

Nick Smith: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what information Mark Fullbrook was asked to declare upon his appointment as Chief of Staff.

Edward Argar: All government employees are subject to the necessary checks and vetting, and all special advisers declare their interests in line with Cabinet Office guidance.

Treasury

Public Finance and Taxation

Christine Jardine: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect of the Government's Growth Plan 2022 on the rate of inflation.

Felicity Buchan: The Government’s Energy Price Guarantee will limit average household energy bills to £2,500. External forecasts expect this intervention to reduce inflation by around 5 percentage points this winter. The Government’s Growth Plan will enhance UK competitiveness and lead to greater opportunities. By targeting 2.5% trend growth, the Growth Plan will ensure sustainable improvements in living standards. The Office for Budget Responsibility is the government’s official forecaster and will publish its next forecast on the economy, including for inflation, on the 31st October.

Mortgages: Interest Rates

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support homeowners with rising mortgage rates.

Jess Phillips: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support homeowners with rising mortgage rates.

Felicity Buchan: Around 75% of mortgage holders are on a fixed-rate mortgage, and will therefore be shielded from rate rises in the short term. We are also taking steps to help everyone with cost-of-living pressures through the Energy Price Guarantee and the Energy Bills Support Scheme, in addition to £37 billion of targeted cost-of-living support this financial year.

Electronic Funds Transfer: Fraud

Kirsten Oswald: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of trends in the level of push payment fraud.

Felicity Buchan: The Government recognises the growing threat to consumers by Push Payment fraud, with increasingly sophisticated scams that can be detrimental to people’s lives. Specific data on the levels of APP fraud is collected by the Payment Systems Regulator and by UK Finance. The latter regularly issues this data in publicly available documents.

Cultural Heritage: Finance

Christian Matheson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on financial support for historical and heritage assets.

Felicity Buchan: The Government continues to support the heritage and cultural sector. There are several sources of funding from Government Arm’s Length Bodies, such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England’s repair grants. I would encourage the Honourable Gentleman to look into those.

Fiscal Policy: Cost of Living

John McNally: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of his recent fiscal policies on the cost of living for households.

Sara Britcliffe: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what fiscal steps his Department is taking to support families with energy bills.

Chris Philp: On 8 September, government announced an ‘Energy Price Guarantee’, which means that a typical UK household will pay no more than £2500 a year on their energy bill over the next 2 years. This measure will save the average household around £1000 a year from October 2022.In addition to this, the government has already announced £37 billion support for the cost of living this financial year – including a £400 discount for all households through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. The Chancellor has been clear that unleashing investment and growth is the only sustainable means of increasing living standards for all households.

Pension Credit: Uprating

Steve McCabe: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will have discussions with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the potential merits of uprating the eligibility threshold for pension credit in line with inflation.

Chris Philp: I meet regularly with other Ministers to discuss cross-Government issues.The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has an annual statutory duty to review benefits and pensions. Her decisions will be announced to Parliament in due course.We understand that higher prices are affecting pensioners, including those receiving Pension Credit. Most households on Pension Credit will receive £1,500 as part of the Government’s £37 billion cost of living package. They will also benefit from the recently announced ‘Energy Price Guarantee’.

Debts: Ukraine

John Healey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what debt relief the UK will provide to Ukraine to help ensure economic stability during winter 2022.

Andrew Griffith: On 20 July, the UK, as part of the Group of Creditors to Ukraine, announced a debt service suspension for Ukraine from 1 August 2022 to December 2023. This agreement means that Ukraine will face no repayments to these bilateral creditors over this period, which eases liquidity pressures and allows the government to focus its scarce resources on more urgent budgetary needs, thus helping to mitigate the economic impact of Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine.

Research: Exchange Rates

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the fall in the value of Sterling on the ability of public investment in Research and Development to leverage private international investment.

Chris Philp: Stimulating private sector investment in Research and Development (R&D) is an important part of the Government’s strategy for economy-wide investment in R&D to reach 2.4% of GDP by 2027. This will also support the Government’s goal to increase economic growth. This is why at SR21, as part of increasing public sector R&D to a record £20bn in 2024/25 and to help leverage in greater private sector R&D investment, the Government committed to a significant uplift for business innovation, with Innovate UK’s core annual budget rising from £667m in 2021/22 to £970m by 2024/25. The Government also allocated £150m over the SR period to innovation loans, providing flexible and patient capital to support business growth through innovation. In addition, Spending Review 2021 announced the new Global Britain Investment Fund, which is supporting private investment in the UK’s innovative life sciences, offshore wind and automotive manufacturing sectors.

Child Benefit

Owen Thompson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of basing High Income Child Benefit Tax Charge on household than individual income.

Chris Philp: The High Income Child Benefit Charge is calculated on an individual rather than a household basis, in line with other tax policy. Basing HICBC on household income would mean finding out the incomes of everyone in all of the 7.8m households currently registered for Child Benefit. This would be costly to the Government and burdensome for the majority of claimants who currently do not need to provide information to HM Revenue and Customs. The current approach only requires a small number of claimants to complete a self-assessment, while leaving the majority of claimants unaffected.

Payment Methods

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps the Government is taking to support people who do not have a mobile phone or bank card to to pay for items such as car parking tolls by cash.

Andrew Griffith: The way consumers and businesses interact with their banking continues to develop at pace, bringing significant benefits to those who choose to opt for the convenience, security, and speed of digital payments and banking. Access to a bank account is an important way to enjoy these benefits, which is why the Government has legislated to require the nine largest personal current account providers in the UK to provide basic bank accounts, so customers are equipped with a bank card and can access digital banking and payment services. To facilitate the adoption of digital services, the Government is also supporting the roll-out of digital connectivity across the UK and improving access to digital skills training for adults. Nonetheless, the Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, particularly those in vulnerable groups. In recognition of this, the Government has introduced legislation to protect access to cash as part of the Financial Services and Markets Bill. Further details can be found on the Parliament website: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3326

Equitable Life Assurance Society: Compensation

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to the methodology previously published, if he will take steps to publish the assumptions and intermediate calculations used in calculating the relative losses of Equitable Life policyholders following maladministration.

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will require Willis Towers Watson to publish the assumptions and intermediate calculations used in calculating the relative losses of Equitable Life policyholders following maladministration.

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of (a) the value of payments made to qualifying With-Profits Annuitants under the Equitable Life Payments Scheme for each year since 2019, and (b) the projected value of future payments to qualifying With-Profits Annuitants under the Equitable Life Payments Scheme to the year 2050.

Andrew Griffith: The Equitable Life Payment Scheme has been fully wound down and closed since 2016. The methodology for calculating payments to Equitable Life policyholders was published in 2011 and extensively reviewed and there are no plans to reopen any previous decisions relating to the Payment Scheme or review the £1.5 billion funding allocation previously made to it. Further guidance on the status of the Payment Scheme after closure is available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equitable-life-payment-scheme#closure-of-the-scheme. The value of payments made to With-Profits Annuitants from the Equitable Life Payment Scheme in each financial year since 2019 is as follows: 2019-20 £31,137,7892020-21 £30,246,4252021-22 £27,986,074 The projected value of remaining payments to WPAs until 2050 is £251 million.

Debts: Pakistan

Mr Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions his Department has had with (a) the International Monetary Fund and (b) his counterparts in G7 countries on helping to ensure that Pakistan’s debt repayments do not divert resources from the ongoing humanitarian situation in that country.

Andrew Griffith: The Government expresses deep concern and condolences for the severe humanitarian and economic impact of flooding in Pakistan. The UK recently announced an uplift in Pakistan flood relief funding, taking the total amount pledged to £16.5m. In addition, at COP26, the UK announced more than £55m of support to help Pakistan tackle climate change. The Government regularly engages on debt issues with our international partners in a number of fora. The UK acts in concert with its partners in the Paris Club and G20 on international debt issues and we stand ready to consider any formal request from Pakistan through the Paris Club or Common Framework process.

Business: Energy

Drew Hendry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions his Department has had with the (a) Bank of England and the(b) wider banking sector on support for businesses experiencing temporary cash flow problems due to energy costs.

Andrew Griffith: The Chancellor has met frequently with the Bank of England Governor, Andrew Bailey and continues to engage with the Bank and other commercial actors. To address extraordinary liquidity requirements faced by energy firms from high and volatile energy prices, HM Treasury has announced the £40 billion Energy Markets Financing Scheme, delivered with the Bank of England,.The scheme will improve resilience in energy and financial markets, and the economy. To deliver the scheme, there will be a 100% guarantee to commercial banks covering additional lending extended to firms. The scheme will be designed to be used as a last resort, with pricing and conditions reflecting this.Last week, the Government also announced details of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme to protect businesses from the spiralling costs of energy by providing a discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices over the next six months. A parallel scheme, based on the same criteria and providing comparable support, but recognising the different market fundamentals, will also be established in Northern Ireland.

Income Tax: Wales

Beth Winter: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to his oral contribution of 23 September 2022 on the floor of the House, Growth Plan, what estimate he has made of the number of beneficiaries of the abolition of the additional rate of income tax who are resident in (a) Cynon Valley constituency, (b) Rhondda Cynon Taf local authority and (c) Wales.

Richard Fuller: In 2022-23, there are projected to be 9,000 additional rate taxpayers in Wales, which includes the parliamentary constituency of Cynon Valley and local authority of Rhondda Cynon Taf. This information can be found in table 2.2 of the national statistics: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/number-of-individual-income-taxpayers-by-marginal-rate-gender-and-age-by-country. HM Treasury does not publish this information at constituency or local authority level.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Self-Employment Income Support Scheme: Blackpool South

Scott Benton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an estimate of the costs to the public purse of the (a) Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and (b) Self-Employment Income Support Scheme for claims made in Blackpool South constituency.

Richard Fuller: HMRC published statistics on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-coronavirus-covid-19-statistics. For the CJRS, the total value of claims is not available for individual constituencies. By the end of the scheme, a total of 15,500 employments benefitted from CJRS in the Blackpool South constituency. For the SEISS, 13,700 claims were made at a cost of £30,500,000 in the Blackpool South constituency.

Fiscal Policy: Scotland

Ian Murray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent progress the Government has made on fiscal framework negotiations with the Scottish Government.

Chris Philp: In June 2022, the UK Government and Scottish Government finalised arrangements for the independent report on tax and welfare Block Grant Adjustments, which was launched on the same day. The call for stakeholder evidence has recently closed, and the report is expected to conclude in October. The two governments have also discussed the scope for the Fiscal Framework review while the independent report has been underway.

Small Businesses: Business Rates

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of lifting the Small Business Rates Threshold to £25,000 for SMEs in winter 2022.

Richard Fuller: Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) is available to businesses with a single property with a rateable value below the threshold of £15,000. The relief targets the smallest businesses where help is needed most, with more than 700,000 of the smallest businesses paying no rates at all. Further increases in the generosity of SBRR would be a broad-based and an indiscriminate way to provide support and would therefore be a poorly targeted form of relief. At Autumn Budget 2021, the Government announced a package of changes worth £7 billion to business over the next 5 years. This includes a freeze to the multiplier for 2022-23, which will support all ratepayers large and small, and almost £1.7 billion in support for the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors in 2022-23. As with all taxes, the Government keeps business rates under review.

Children: Day Care

Ben Lake: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to advice published on the gov.uk website which states that people who are on adoption leave cannot apply for Tax Free Childcare in respect of the child for whom they are on Adoption Leave unless they are going back to work within 31 days of the date on which they first applied, whether that restriction also applies to those on shared parental, maternity or paternity leave.

Chris Philp: I can confirm the same rule applies to people on all forms of parental leave (including maternity, paternity and shared parental leave) unless they are expected to return to work within 31 days of the date in which their leave started. Parents remain eligible for Tax-Free Childcare for children other than the child that is the subject of the parental or adoption leave.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Culture: Coronavirus

Scott Benton: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how much financial support was given to cultural institutions in Blackpool to assist them with the consequences of covid-19 in (a) 2020, (b) 2021 and (c) 2022.

Stuart Andrew: Organisations in the Borough of Blackpool received a total of just over £4.82 million of funding across the entirety of the Culture Recovery Fund (CRF). £2.87 million was awarded in the first round (2020-21), £0.9 million was awarded in the second round (2020-21), and in the final round (2021-22) £1.05 million was awarded.

Broadband

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether it is her policy to rolling out greater broadband access in the UK; and whether her Department is on track to reach the 85 per cent connectivity target by 2025.

Julia Lopez: Project Gigabit is the government’s £5 billion mission to deliver lightning-fast, reliable broadband across the UK. Its objective is to level up the UK by giving hard-to-reach areas access to gigabit-capable internet speeds and, coupled with commercial gigabit delivery, ensuring almost all of the UK has access to gigabit-capable internet as soon as possible.Across the UK, over 70% (ThinkBroadband) of premises can now access gigabit-capable broadband, and we remain on track to meet the target of at least 85% gigabit-capable coverage by 2025.

Football: Regulation

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what progress she has made on introducing legislative proposals for an independent regulator of professional football.

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what her policy is on the increased regulation of English football.

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what progress her Department has made on the implementation of the recommendations of the fan led review of football governance.

Stuart Andrew: The Government published its response to the recommendations made by the Independent Fan Led Review of Football Governance in April 2022. We absolutely recognise the need for football to be reformed to ensure the game’s sustainability in the long term. We are now taking the time to consider the policy, but we remain committed to publishing a White Paper setting out our detailed response to the Fan Led Review of Football Governance, and will set this out in due course.

Social Media: Disinformation

Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will publish a list of the occasions when her Department's Counter Disinformation Cell has requested social media platforms remove posts from their platforms and what the grounds were for classifying the posted information as disinformation.

Damian Collins: The Government takes the issue of disinformation very seriously. The Counter Disinformation Unit team, based in DCMS, works to understand the scope, scale and reach of disinformation and works with a range of partners, including social media platforms, to tackle it.The primary purpose of the team is not to spot every instance of disinformation across all social media platforms, but rather to understand overall trends and coordinated attempts to artificially manipulate the information environment. When the Unit does identify particular pieces of harmful content which may violate platforms’ terms of service these are referred to the relevant platform for consideration, who in turn decide what action to take.As an operational matter it is not appropriate for the government to publicly provide details of content reported to platforms as doing so would give malign actors insight into our capabilities.

Arts: EU Countries

Patricia Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the 90/180 day period set out in the Schengen Borders Code for third-country nationals, whether negotiations are ongoing with the EU to help reduce potential barriers faced by artists, creatives and professionals who tour in Europe; and what other steps her Department is taking to assist those people tour in Europe.

Julia Lopez: The Government is committed to supporting UK creatives to adapt to new arrangements when touring in the EU. The UK took an ambitious approach during negotiations with the EU that would have ensured that touring artists and their support staff did not need work-permits to perform in the EU. The Government deeply regrets that the EU rejected our proposals.Our focus now is on supporting the sector by providing clarity, working with Member States, and implementing unilateral measures where possible. This includes the introduction of a ‘dual registration’ measure to help specialist hauliers move across the UK and EU.The vast majority of Member States offer visa and work permit free routes for musicians and creative performers. This includes Spain, which introduced 90-day visa- and work permit- free touring in November 2021, and Greece, which announced a visa and work permit free route for UK creatives in June 2022, both following engagement by the UK Government and the sector.We are aware that musicians and their support staff are concerned about the 90 in 180 day Schengen limit. Beyond this limit, creatives will be required to obtain the relevant visa or work permit for the relevant Member State, as artists from other third countries are required to do.As rules and definitions vary across Member States, travellers should check with Member States’ own guidance before they travel. That is why we have worked closely with Member States to ensure their guidance is clear and accessible. As well as this, we have published guidance on GOV.UK, including updated travel advice for travelling to the EU, and individual business traveller summaries for EU Member States and European Economic Area (EEA) countries.

3G: USA

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the impact of US providers switching off their 3G networks on the communications service experienced UK citizens travelling to the US; and what obligations exist for UK providers to inform their customers of the impact of that decision in the US.

Julia Lopez: Switching off 3G mobile networks is a global trend as operators free up spectrum to focus on the provision of newer 4G and 5G services. In the US, all 3G networks have already been switched off. This might affect the experience of UK customers travelling to the US, in particular for customers with an older phone model. In some cases, UK customers might not be able to make calls or access data unless they are connected to WiFi.There is no specific obligation for UK mobile providers to inform their customers of changes to network provision in other countries. However, Ofcom is speaking to providers to ensure that they are informing customers of this impact and some providers have been proactively sending messages to potentially affected groups. Customers should speak to their mobile network provider before leaving the UK to understand the impact of 3G switch off on their roaming experience.

Women and Equalities

Women and Equalities: Cabinet

Anneliese Dodds: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Departments policies of the Minister for Women not attending Cabinet; and if he will make a statement.

Nadhim Zahawi: The Minister for Equalities’ role represents all aspects of the women and equalities portfolio in Cabinet. Gender equality remains part of this portfolio – this was confirmed by the Prime Minister’s spokesperson shortly after the appointment of the Minister for Equalities.The Cabinet role will be supported by the Minister for Women and the equalities Lords Minister.